- Jun 16, 2023
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In a landmark decision announced on May 13, 2025, Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred has posthumously removed Pete Rose from the league's permanently ineligible list, reinstating the all-time hits leader and making him eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This policy change also affects 16 other deceased individuals, including "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and several players involved in the 1919 Black Sox scandal.
Rose, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 83, had been banned from baseball since 1989 after an investigation revealed he bet on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Despite his lifetime ban, Rose's career achievements include 4,256 hits, 17 All-Star selections, three World Series titles, and a National League MVP award.
Commissioner Manfred justified the policy shift by stating that deceased individuals no longer pose a threat to the integrity of the game. "It is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve," Manfred wrote in a letter explaining the decision.
The removal from the ineligible list does not guarantee Hall of Fame induction. Rose's candidacy will be evaluated by the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which considers players who made their greatest impact before 1980. The committee's next meeting is scheduled for December 2027.
Reactions to the decision have been mixed. Supporters argue that Rose's on-field accomplishments merit recognition, while critics contend that lifting the ban undermines the importance of maintaining the sport's integrity. John Dowd, who led the original investigation into Rose's gambling, expressed concern that the move could set a precedent that diminishes the seriousness of such infractions.
The Cincinnati Reds plan to honor Rose during their upcoming game against the Chicago White Sox, celebrating his contributions to the team and the sport.
This decision marks a significant shift in MLB's approach to disciplinary actions, potentially opening the door for other previously banned individuals to be reconsidered for the Hall of Fame.
Source:
sports.yahoo.com
Rose, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 83, had been banned from baseball since 1989 after an investigation revealed he bet on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Despite his lifetime ban, Rose's career achievements include 4,256 hits, 17 All-Star selections, three World Series titles, and a National League MVP award.
Commissioner Manfred justified the policy shift by stating that deceased individuals no longer pose a threat to the integrity of the game. "It is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve," Manfred wrote in a letter explaining the decision.
The removal from the ineligible list does not guarantee Hall of Fame induction. Rose's candidacy will be evaluated by the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which considers players who made their greatest impact before 1980. The committee's next meeting is scheduled for December 2027.
Reactions to the decision have been mixed. Supporters argue that Rose's on-field accomplishments merit recognition, while critics contend that lifting the ban undermines the importance of maintaining the sport's integrity. John Dowd, who led the original investigation into Rose's gambling, expressed concern that the move could set a precedent that diminishes the seriousness of such infractions.
The Cincinnati Reds plan to honor Rose during their upcoming game against the Chicago White Sox, celebrating his contributions to the team and the sport.
This decision marks a significant shift in MLB's approach to disciplinary actions, potentially opening the door for other previously banned individuals to be reconsidered for the Hall of Fame.
Source:
MLB removes Pete Rose, 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson from ineligible list in decision that can pave way for Hall of Fame
MLB's decision Tuesday removes 16 players and one owner from the permanently ineligible list.
