Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Tuesday that Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and other deceased players have been removed from MLB’s permanently ineligible list. This historic decision clears the way for these baseball legends to be considered for the Hall of Fame.
Manfred stated that MLB’s punishment ends with a person’s death. In a letter to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov, who petitioned for Rose’s removal, Manfred wrote, “Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game.”
The news was first reported by ESPN.
Pete Rose, MLB’s all-time hits leader, accepted a lifetime ban in 1989 after an investigation revealed he bet on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Shoeless Joe Jackson and seven other Chicago White Sox players were banned in 1921 for allegedly fixing the 1919 World Series. Rose passed away in September at 83. Jackson died in 1951.
The decision also removes 16 other deceased players and one deceased owner from MLB’s banned list. Among them are Jackson’s former teammates Eddie Cicotte and George “Buck” Weaver.
With this ruling, Rose and Jackson are now eligible for the Hall of Fame. Their cases will be reviewed by the Classic Baseball Era Committee in December 2027. To be inducted, each must receive 12 of 16 votes, with the earliest possible induction being in the summer of 2028.
Jeffrey Lenkov, who spearheaded Rose’s reinstatement effort, called the decision “a long journey.” He plans to meet with Hall of Fame officials to discuss Rose’s candidacy. “Reds Nation will not only be able to celebrate Pete’s legacy, but now optimistically be able to look forward to the possibility that Pete will join other baseball immortals,” Lenkov said.
However, the ruling has reignited debate. John Dowd, who led MLB’s investigation into Rose, criticized the move. “There’s no difference with him being dead – it’s about behavior, conduct, and reputation,” Dowd told ESPN, suggesting the ban’s purpose goes beyond the person’s lifetime.
Rose’s achievements remain unmatched. He holds the record for most career hits with 4,256, won three World Series titles, and posted a lifetime .303 batting average. Jackson, despite the scandal, finished his career with a .356 average, the fourth-highest in MLB history.
The Hall of Fame voters now hold the power to decide whether Rose and Jackson will finally be enshrined in Cooperstown. The debate over integrity, redemption, and legacy in baseball continues.
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