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Ex-judge Norbert Nadel, the man who almost saved Pete Rose, dead at 82

Judge Norbert Nadel photographed in his chambers in 2014, in front of a wall that displays magazine and newspaper articles, most of which concern his controversial decision regarding Cincinnati Reds player Pete Rose in June 1989, which halted MLB's meeting to oust the all-time hit king from the game. His decision was criticized nationally.

Long-time judge Norbert Nadel, the man who tried and failed to save Pete Rose from Major League Baseball's gambling investigation, died Friday after a short illness. He was 82.

Known for wearing a bright blue robe that matched his colorful personality, Nadel handled some of the biggest and most controversial court cases in Hamilton County while serving for more than three decades as a Common Pleas Court Judge.

He also worked as an assistant federal prosecutor, an assistant city prosecutor and, after retiring from the bench, as Hamilton County's recorder. Along the way, Nadel mentored a generation of young clerks who went on to work as prosecutors and defense attorneys.

"He was a very loyal friend," said Mark Krumbein, a defense attorney who's known Nadel for decades. "He gave the greatest advice."

Never one to shy away from a TV camera, or any camera, really, Nadel welcomed the chance in 1989 to weigh in on what would become the biggest case of his career. It happened when the lawyers for hometown hero Rose sought a restraining order halting baseball's investigation into the Reds' manager's gambling.

Judge Norbert Nadel shows the letter that led to his ruling in favor of Pete Rose on a hearing on June 25, 1989.

Nadel became convinced that then-Baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti had "prejudged" the case against Rose and had made up his mind to ban him from baseball without hearing all the evidence. He granted the restraining order in a rare Sunday court hearing that was broadcast live across the nation.

As with most big cases, Nadel wore his trademark blue robe for the occasion, a departure from the usual black worn by most jurists. He liked the color, he told friends, and he thought it was more "telegenic" than a black robe.


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