MLB’s Integrity is at Stake

Major League Baseball (MLB) continues to grow each year, bringing in new athletes, coaches, ownership, and employees to fulfill milestones and leave footprints. When you turn on the television to watch your favorite sports, what type of advertisements do you typically see? Normally you’ll see on a recurring basis advertisement for restaurants, insurance companies, and betting platforms. The rise of sports betting has taken a significant impact on the sports industry. As sports betting has become more popular with television advertising, it has affected the professional organization and the public positively and negatively. You may have come across betting platforms such as PrizePicks, DraftKings, BETMGM, etc., which are the most popular to date. Some advertising applications offer promotions for first time users, such as, PrizePicks: “ENTER $5 GET $50 INSTANTLY” or “BET $5 GET $250 Instantly in Bonus Bets” for signing up with DraftKings. Fans enjoy the excitement of watching their favorite teams, as well as trying to make some money on the side. While this opened up a new window of untapped revenue, also came with placing professional sports organizations' reputation in an “all in” situation.

Five years ago on May 14, 2018, the Supreme Court legalized sports betting across numerous states. As this took a toll on Major League Baseball’s (MLB) reputation, it put players safety in a dilemma. Dating back to the incident of Pete Rose, nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” or the most recent ban for San Diego Padres Tucupita Marcano. These incidents cannot be ignored as it puts the MLB’s integrity more at risk in today’s society.

Throughout history of the MLB the rules, regulations and ethical conduct of professional athletes have become much more strict. While we dive into the rules and regulations for what a professional athlete can or cannot do, let me explain what happened to the most recent MLB star Tucupita Marcano. Marcano made his professional debut appearance in 2017 with the Dominican Summer League Padres. After being traded amongst the three San Diego Padres organization affiliates to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2024 Marcano was banned from the game indefinitely due to the allegations of illegal sports betting. He was found guilty of making 25 bets on Pittsburgh Pirates games while he was on the injured reserved list. These allegations were not only serious but led harm to his professional image, reputation, team organization, and losing fan appreciation. As viewers and fans of the game, you can’t un-ring that bell, meaning you can’t change what has already happened. Knowing what happened at the time; how would your perspective of watching a game of baseball change in your personal view? Knowing that a favorite athlete of yours was caught placing bets within the organization or alongside another professional sport? Questions and hypothetical scenarios are all coming to mind when this comes into play.

While athletes may have a better understanding within the game. Being able to judge statistical data on how each athlete is performing can be unpredictable. Obviously, teams and a player’s mindset are to win in any given sport. With each athlete given their own special capabilities, they’re all different in their own ways. If an athlete is making well-above average the normal salary, what comes to their mind when they try to fix games. Are they betting on financial gain? Overall, it’s not understood why they perform unethical mannerism.

Fans encounter betting applications in the United States just as much as athletes. As these applications grow worldwide, they may affect and influence younger generations. In most recent studies, individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 have grown up in the era of the internet ​ (Di Censo, Delfabbro, & King, 2023)​. Thus, generating individuals to be more engaged in social media. Being able to watch your favorite teams play, is the perfect way sports betting reels you into their campaign. They encourage individuals to respond to bonuses or promotions to win quick cash. Some individuals are more at risk than others depending on how much they wager. Individuals can place up to a designated amount depending on the betting apps policies. Wagering at high stakes can impose a positive or negative impact on your financial status, relationships, and your well-being.

Now shifting our view to the rules and regulations for individuals who are involved in gambling, not directly involved, and illegal book makers. Within the guidelines pertaining to the rules of gambling pertaining to is an individual is directly involved. Rule 21 states: “Any player, umpire, or Club or League Official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.” If an individual is not directly involved, Rule 21 states: “Any player, umpire, or Club or League Official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year.” Lastly, In the gambling category, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee who places with illegal book makers, or agents for illegal book makers, shall be subject to such penalty as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct. Any player, umpire, or Club, or League official or employee who operates or works for an illegal bookmaking business shall be subject toa a minimum one-year suspension by the Commissioner (Robert D. Manfred Jr). For purposes of this provision, an illegal bookmaker is an individual who accepts, places or handles wagers on sporting events from members of the public as part of gaming operation that is unlawful in the jurisdiction in which the bets are accepted.” (MLB, 2024)

As the MLB prohibits all players or any individual who is part of the organization, we need to be protective of the game and not damage its integrity. Focusing on the rules and regulations influences the public and MLB organizations from ever being tampered with. While these rules provide clarity to athletes, umpires, club, or league officials. They should be honored with fairness from both sides.