Finally saw the ESPN "Backstory" episode on Pete and Joe Jackson (missed the Jackson part although they are intertwined).
He finally said what I wanted to hear him say since the whole thing started-
"I bet on the Reds...to win"
I've always maintained that throwing a game is just cause and betting on your own team to lose is a quite slippery slope down to that level.
Back in 89 I said it should be simple- if he bet on Cincinnati to lose- he's outta there, if he bet on them to win, give him a medal and let him in.
Of course, him being branded as a liar can certainly cast doubt on anything he now says.
That episode ended in a very valid point-
Pete may not have "reconfigured his life" as the ban agreement states is a requirement for reinstatement, but MLB has reconfigured the game to embrace and profit from what Pete is banned for doing.
Disclaimer- I grew up in Dayton OH, the next "big city" to the North of Cinci during the "Big Red Machine" era.
