Rose May Have Been Pigeon in Costly Fowl Ball

NEW YORK — Pete Rose may have lost $4,800 on a fowl ball.

Details of Rose’s alleged gambling during the 1987 baseball season, outlined in a 225-page report, showed he lost his biggest bet. And a wayward bird could have cost him.

Rose reportedly lost $4,800 on April 12, 1987, when the defending World Series champion New York Mets were beaten 12-4 at home by the last-place Atlanta Braves. In that game, Atlanta’s Dion James hit a fly ball that appeared routine until it hit a pigeon and fell for a double.

The Braves, trailing at the time, rallied after the bizarre play. The bird was killed, and, the report said, so was Rose’s bet.