In a significant move for baseball history, Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson were reinstated by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday, making them eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This decision comes after both players faced bans due to their involvement in sports gambling scandals that tarnished their illustrious careers. Rose’s permanent ban was lifted just eight months after his passing and coincides with the Cincinnati Reds' planned tribute, Pete Rose Night, occurring the day after the announcement.
Commissioner Manfred revealed a change in the league’s approach towards permanent ineligibility, stating that bans would now expire upon the death of the individual. This policy revision has impacted 17 individuals, including all eight players from the notorious 1919 Chicago Black Sox scandal, former Philadelphia Phillies president Williams D. Cox, and former New York Giants outfielder Benny Kauff. According to the current regulations of the Hall of Fame, the earliest either Rose or Jackson can be inducted is in 2028.
Pete Rose, known as baseball's all-time hits leader with 4,256 hits, was banned from the sport after an investigation revealed he had repeatedly bet on the Reds while serving as a player and manager from 1985 to 1987. This violation of a longstanding MLB rule led to his permanent ban on August 23, 1989. Since then, Rose has made multiple attempts for reinstatement, including a request in 1997 that went unaddressed by former Commissioner Bud Selig and a subsequent petition rejected by Manfred in 2015, citing a lack of credible evidence of a life change.
Following Rose's death on September 30, 2022, a new petition for reinstatement was filed by attorney Jeffrey Lenkov, who had previously represented Rose. Lenkov, alongside Rose’s daughter Fawn, met with Manfred in December 2022 to discuss the situation. Rose's cause has garnered notable support, including from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expressed intentions to pardon Rose posthumously. The specifics of discussions between Manfred and Trump remain undisclosed.
In a letter addressed to Lenkov, Manfred elaborated on the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing that the goals of Rule 21—which is designed to protect the integrity of the game—have been achieved upon the individual’s death. He stated that a deceased person cannot pose a threat to the game, and thus the lifetime ban loses its deterrent effect. Hence, he concluded that Rose would be removed from the permanently ineligible list.
Pete Rose's illustrious career includes being a 17-time All-Star and holding records for games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), plate appearances (15,890), and singles (3,215). He was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1963, the MVP in 1973, and the MVP of the World Series in 1975. His achievement of breaking Ty Cobb's previous hits record of 4,191 has solidified his place in baseball history.
Shoeless Joe Jackson, a career .356 hitter, remains one of baseball's most iconic figures. He was among the eight players banned for their involvement in the 1919 World Series scandal. Although he died in 1951, Jackson's legacy continues to thrive, partly due to his portrayal by Ray Liotta in the 1989 film Field of Dreams.
To reach the Hall of Fame, both Rose and Jackson must overcome the current stipulations set by the Hall’s board of directors, which prohibits anyone on the permanently ineligible list from being considered for election. Jackson was nominated twice by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America but received minimal support, while Rose’s eligibility has been complicated due to his reinstatement timing. He would have been eligible for BBWAA ballots each year from 1992 to 2006 had he not been banned.
In a statement, Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the Board for the Hall of Fame, confirmed that individuals removed from the permanently ineligible list will be considered for Hall of Fame candidacy. The next opportunity for Jackson and Rose to be considered will occur during the December 2027 meeting of the Classic Baseball Era committee, which evaluates those who made significant contributions to the sport before 1980.
While Trump has voiced intentions to pardon Rose, the specifics of what such a pardon would entail remain ambiguous. Rose faced legal issues beyond baseball, pleading guilty in 1990 to charges of filing false tax returns, resulting in a prison sentence and community service. He has since repaid the IRS a significant amount for his tax violations.
The reinstatement of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson marks a pivotal chapter in baseball history, allowing both players a chance to finally be recognized for their contributions to the sport they helped define.
