MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred officially lifted the permanent bans on Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson on Tuesday, paving the way for two of the sport’s most controversial figures to finally be considered for the Hall of Fame.
The reinstatement, which applies only posthumously, comes eight months after Rose’s death and just one day before the Cincinnati Reds are set to honor the all-time hits leader with “Pete Rose Night.”
Manfred said the decision was part of a broader policy change ending lifetime bans at death, affecting 17 individuals – including the eight members of the infamous 1919 Chicago Black Sox.
Manfred wrote in a letter to Rose’s attorney, Jeffrey Lenkov: “In my view, a determination must be made regarding how the phrase ‘permanently ineligible’ should be interpreted in light of the purposes and policies behind Rule 21, which are to: (1) protect the game from individuals who pose a risk to the integrity of the sport by prohibiting the participation of such individuals; and (2) create a deterrent effect that reduces the likelihood of future violations by others.
“In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 have been served.”
Rose, banned in 1989 after an MLB investigation found he bet on games while managing and playing for the Reds, had long sought reinstatement.
His initial application came in 1997, but was never acted upon by then-Commissioner Bud Selig. Manfred denied a 2015 petition, writing that Rose “has not presented credible evidence of a reconfigured life.”
A final petition was filed in January 2025, months after Rose died on Sept. 30 at the age of 83. Lenkov and Rose’s daughter, Fawn, met with Manfred in December to plead his case.
A large portion of baseball fans want Rose reinstated and feel he more than deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
As a matter of fact, many fans feel it’s insulting and disrespectful that this ruling has come after Rose’s death.
Regardless, not everyone is thrilled with the new ruling.
Rose’s reinstatement drew mixed reactions, including sharp criticism from Marcus Giamatti, son of former commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti, who negotiated Rose’s lifetime ban.
“I am also disappointed that my family was not consulted prior to this decision,” Giamatti said. “The Commissioner’s decision makes this a very dark day for baseball, the country and the fans.
“My father’s mission by banning Rose was to uphold the integrity of the game. Therefore, reinstating Rose in this manner puts that integrity, Rule 21 and everything that my father fought to uphold in peril.”
Giamatti expanded on his thoughts in a statement to USA Today Sports and said that allowing Rose and Jackson into the Hall of Fame could eventually lead to stars from the “steroid era” being allowed in as well.
“If you let him in, the floodgates are now open,” Giamatti stated. “Sure, why not let all those guys in, too? He hasn’t done anything, you know, to reconfigure his life. He was never seriously remorseful or rehabilitated himself by going to gambler’s anonymous or any of that stuff. He did none of that.
“He could have possibly opened the door for a second chance, but it’s moot because he didn’t do any of that stuff. So, it’s not even a point to discuss.”
Rose, a 17-time All-Star, still holds several all-time MLB records, including career hits (4,256), games played (3,562), and plate appearances (15,890).
A Rookie of the Year (1963), MVP (1973), and World Series MVP (1975), Rose broke Ty Cobb’s decades-old hits record in 1985.
Meanwhile, Jackson, a career .356 hitter, was permanently banned in 1921 for his role in the Black Sox scandal, despite ongoing debate over his involvement. He passed away in 1951 but remains a mythic figure, portrayed by Ray Liotta in the film Field of Dreams.
Under a 1991 Hall of Fame policy, those on the ineligible list could not be considered for induction. That no longer applies. Hall of Fame Board Chair Jane Forbes Clark confirmed that the change “will allow for the Hall of Fame candidacy of such individuals to now be considered.”
Rose and Jackson are now eligible for induction in 2028 via the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which evaluates players whose careers peaked before 1980. A historical committee selects the final ballot, with 12 of 16 votes required for election.
Many feel that President Donald Trump had a significant influence in convincing Manfred to change his tune on Rose.
With Rose and Jackson now eligible, the 2028 Hall of Fame class could include some of baseball’s most storied and debated legends – alongside more traditional candidates like Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.
What are your thoughts on the Cooperstown door finally being cracked open for Rose???
