Pete Rose Reinstated: Hall of Fame Hope Restored After Decades-Long Ban

By /

Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson were reinstated by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday, making both eligible for the sport’s Hall of Fame after their careers were tarnished by sports gambling scandals.

Rose’s permanent ban was lifted eight months after his death and came a day before the Cincinnati Reds will honor baseball’s career hits leader with Pete Rose Night.

Key Facts:

  • MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reinstated Pete Rose and 16 others, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, on May 7, 2025.
  • Rose was banned in 1989 for betting on games while managing and playing for the Cincinnati Reds.
  • MLB now ends permanent ineligibility bans at death, making posthumous Hall of Fame consideration possible.
  • Rose died on Sept. 30, 2024, and a new petition for reinstatement was filed in January 2025.
  • The earliest Rose and Jackson can be inducted is 2028 through the Classic Baseball Era committee.

The Rest of The Story:

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s new policy marks a major shift: anyone banned from baseball is no longer considered “permanently ineligible” after death.

This change affects 17 individuals, including Pete Rose and the eight Chicago Black Sox players banned for the 1919 World Series scandal.

It came just before the Reds honored Rose with a commemorative night in Cincinnati.

Rose agreed to a lifetime ban in 1989 after a league investigation revealed he bet on games while managing and playing.

He applied for reinstatement multiple times, but both Commissioners Bud Selig and Manfred previously denied his requests.

Rose’s daughter and attorney met with Manfred before filing a final petition after Rose’s death.

Although Rose cannot be added to the regular BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot due to timing, he and Jackson can now be considered by the Classic Baseball Era committee when it next convenes in December 2027.

Commentary:

Commissioner Manfred’s decision is a long-overdue correction.

Pete Rose, despite his moral lapse, remains one of the most accomplished players in baseball history.

With records in hits, games played, and at-bats, Rose’s statistical dominance speaks for itself.

His performance on the field was never in question—only his off-field decisions.

Rose’s betting did not involve throwing games or compromising competition.

He always bet in favor of his team, which undercuts the argument that he jeopardized the sport’s integrity.

While betting on baseball violates MLB rules, his actions were those of a competitor—not a cheat.

A permanent ban, especially beyond death, serves no practical deterrent.

Rule 21’s purpose—protecting the integrity of the game—has already been fulfilled in Rose’s case.

Keeping his name out of the Hall of Fame accomplishes nothing more than punishing his memory, while ignoring his unprecedented achievements.

Donald Trump’s public support for Rose, and his offer to pardon him, undoubtedly helped elevate attention to the case.

While we don’t know what was said between Trump and Manfred, it’s clear that high-level support didn’t hurt Rose’s case for reinstatement.

Those opposing reinstatement, like Marcus Giamatti, may view the move as a betrayal of tradition.

But baseball’s history has room for redemption.

If the game can forgive steroid users and sign-stealing scandals, it can certainly forgive a man who never stopped believing in his team.

Now that the path is clear, the Hall of Fame must do the right thing.

Pete Rose should be inducted the moment he’s eligible in 2028.

The Bottom Line:

Pete Rose’s ban has been lifted posthumously, setting the stage for his long-awaited Hall of Fame candidacy.

MLB’s policy change recognizes that punishment beyond death serves no purpose.

Rose’s unmatched legacy on the field should no longer be overshadowed by one mistake.

It’s time baseball honors its all-time hit king.

Sign Up For The TFPP Wire Newsletter

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You may opt out at any time.

Read Next

– Tulsi Gabbard Fires Two ‘Deep State’ Heads Of The National Intelligence Council

– Civil War: David Hogg Ousted in Brutal Party Vote After Vowing to Replace Democrat Elders

– Revenue From Tariffs Hit Record High as Government Posts Second Biggest Budget Surplus in History In April

– President Trump Just Helped Make Dishwashers, Washing Machines And Showers Great Again

– America’s Largest Power Grid Operator Warns Blackouts Could Hit Millions This Summer