Becker Business Podcast: “Jim Harbaugh vs. Pete Rose”
Host: Scott Becker
Date: August 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Becker Business podcast, host Scott Becker explores public perceptions of ethics in high-profile figures through the lens of a recent X (Twitter) poll: “Who is the most unethical, Jim Harbaugh or Pete Rose?” Scott discusses the background of both figures’ scandals, public reactions, and what this says about societal attitudes toward portrayed character versus known conduct.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Explanation and Results of the Twitter Poll

• Poll Question: Who is the most unethical, Jim Harbaugh or Pete Rose? (00:09)
• Results:
  • Jim Harbaugh: 65%
  • Pete Rose: 35%
• Scott notes that while some might be surprised, he finds the outcome somewhat expected due to the public personas of each figure.

2. Backgrounds of Both Figures

• Jim Harbaugh: (00:21)
  • Long-time University of Michigan football coach.
  • Recently handed an NCAA ban from college football until roughly 2036 (age 74/75) over improprieties, including:
    • Sign-stealing scandal (and cover-up).
    • Numerous recruiting violations and related issues.
• Pete Rose: (00:39)
  • Legendary baseball player and manager.
  • Banned for life from Major League Baseball for gambling on games.
  • Long-standing figure of controversy; possible consideration for Hall of Fame reinstatement.

3. Why the Poll Favored Harbaugh

• Preconceived Notions & Public Image: (01:07)
  • Pete Rose has a “long discussed” reputation as a shady character, so his unethical acts are somewhat “baked in” to public perception.
  • Harbaugh, by contrast, “paints himself as the most clean cut, apple pie American person.”
  • When someone’s public persona doesn’t match their actions, the backlash is much more intense.

4. Notable Public Responses & Comparisons

• Listener Comments: (01:21)
  • One respondent: “I legitimately love Pete Rose and I’m agnostic on Harbaugh, but Pete was on another level of shadiness. Personal life was a mess too.”
  • Another discussion point: “Rose also dated and lived with a minor when he was in his twenties.”
  • Scott: “Pete Rose had sex with a 14-year-old when he’s in his 30s. So Pete Rose, clearly a sleazy, sleazy guy.” (02:31)
• Sociopolitical Comparisons:
  • Scott draws parallels to public figures like Donald Trump and Bill Clinton:
    • “People somewhat take it in stride… when [a person] portrays themselves as different than they are, then they really take it on the chin when people find out that they’re really quite sleazy.” (01:50)
    • Points out that some notorious figures “don’t hide it” and the public’s expectations are aligned with their conduct.

5. Analysis—A Fascinating Study in Human Nature

• Scott concludes that how someone presents themselves publicly heavily influences how their wrongdoing is perceived and punished in the court of public opinion. (03:15)
• The poll outcome, he says, “is a fascinating study in humanity.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pete Rose’s Reputation:
  “Everybody knew and it’s been long discussed that Pete Rose was, was kind of a shady character.” — Scott Becker (00:55)
• On Harbaugh’s Persona:
  “Harbaugh paints himself as the most clean cut, you know, apple pie American person and at the same time loses in this poll.” — Scott Becker (01:41)
• On Disingenuous Public Figures:
  “When people portray themselves different than they are, then they really take it on the chin when people find out that they’re really quite sleazy.” — Scott Becker (01:50)
• Listener Reaction:
  “I legitimately love Pete Rose and I’m agnostic on Harbaugh, but Pete was on another level of shadiness. Personal life was a mess too.” — X poll respondent (01:21)
• Comparison to Political Figures:
  “President Trump in some ways gets a pass because people know he’s a shady guy. ... He doesn’t hide that. He’s kind of a sleazy guy in his own way.” — Scott Becker (01:18)
• Summary Reflection:
  “A fascinating study in humanity.” — Scott Becker (03:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:09 — Introduction of the Twitter poll and its results
• 00:21 — Overview of Jim Harbaugh’s violations
• 00:39 — Pete Rose's background and MLB ban
• 01:07 — Discussion of why the poll voted Harbaugh as less ethical
• 01:18 — Sociopolitical parallels (Trump, Clinton)
• 01:21 — Listener quotes and Pete Rose’s off-field issues
• 01:41 — Importance of public persona in perception
• 02:31 — Further detail on Pete Rose’s personal controversies
• 03:15 — Final reflection on public perceptions and human nature

Summary

Scott Becker uses a provocative poll comparing two notorious sports figures—Jim Harbaugh and Pete Rose—as a case study in public ethics and perception. He explores why people judge those who present themselves as paragons of integrity more harshly when they fall, whereas those with already established reputations for controversy are often less condemned for further misdeeds. Listeners are left with insight into how persona and reality interact in the world of public opinion, and how our collective judgments are shaped as much by expectations as by facts.