Baseball fans are buzzing with renewed hope for Pete Rose’s induction into the Hall of Fame following MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s recent decision to lift his permanently ineligible status. This action, which also affected 16 deceased players including the infamous “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, has sparked a wave of excitement and debate among the baseball community.
However, it’s crucial to note that Manfred won’t be the one to decide Rose’s fate for Cooperstown. As noted by ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser on “Pardon the Interruption,” the real power lies with the baseball writers, who have the significant responsibility of determining Hall of Fame membership. These writers are often seen as the guardians of baseball’s history and integrity, taking transgressions very seriously. Kornheiser provided a poignant reminder: “Those baseball writers… take violations very seriously. Joe Jackson fixed games, OK? Pete Rose bet on games as a manager of one team. That doesn’t go away.”
The timing of the announcement has left many fans frustrated, too. They’ve taken to social media to express their discontent at the fact that it took so long for MLB to re-evaluate Rose’s status, leading many to believe that a Hall of Fame induction is the fitting next step to address his absence since the early 1990s.
As the conversation progressed, Kornheiser highlighted another group of legends who find themselves on the outside looking in—the likes of Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Roger Clemens. “You know who else is eligible for the Hall of Fame right now? All of them,” he pointed out, casting doubt on their chances of getting in anytime soon.
While Kornheiser acknowledged his personal support for Rose’s induction, he added a layer of complexity: “As you know, Mike (Wilbon), I would put Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame… I would put his sins on the plaque and his accomplishments on the plaque. But I do not see Pete Rose as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.” This statement reflects a nuanced take, recognizing both Rose’s unparalleled achievements as MLB’s all-time hits leader and the shadows that his gambling scandal casts over his legacy.
Rose, who was placed on the permanently ineligible list after it was uncovered that he gambled on games while serving as both player and manager, initially denied the allegations. Yet, in a turn that shocked many, he publicly admitted to his gambling in 2004.
Manfred has made it clear that although certain players may no longer pose a threat to baseball’s integrity after their passing, he believes in the legitimacy of lifting ineligibility following death. As stated in a letter obtained by ESPN addressed to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov, he concluded that “it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve.”
In a related note, it’s worth mentioning that President Donald Trump recently voiced his views on Rose’s Hall of Fame status, expressing disappointment that Rose, affectionately known as “Charlie Hustle,” won’t experience the thrill of induction while alive. He stated, “Major League Baseball didn’t have the courage or decency to put the late, great Pete Rose… into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now he is dead, will never experience the thrill of being selected… WHAT A SHAME!”
While the lifting of Rose’s ineligibility is undoubtedly a step forward, the road to Cooperstown is still up to the baseball writers. He’s eligible now, but it will take their votes to finally make it official. The discussions and debates will surely continue, as fans and insiders alike ponder the legacies of both Rose and his contemporaries.
