Betting on games (lomg)

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Posted By: warshawlaw

Let's put this into perspective: the 19th century guys bet when it wasn't against the rules to bet. Rose bet when it was against the rules to bet. This is not about personalities (Rose is one of the most pleasant HOF caliber guys at shows), it is about actions. As far as betting on your team being benign, it is not. I can think of any number of scenarios where a bettor-manager could manipulate his team to the detriment of the players: risking an injury by leaving in a Barry Bonds in a meaningless late season game to try to get another insurance run, overusing a #1 pitcher or pitching staff, encouraging an injured player to tear himself up even more, bribing or convincing an opponent with nothing to gain from a victory to slack off (Cobb and Speaker got nailed for this in the 18920's, but were let off the hook).