Historic Decision by MLB
The Pete Rose reinstatement became reality on May 13, 2025, when MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred lifted the lifetime bans on Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and 15 other deceased players. This landmark decision, prompted by a petition from Rose’s family after his death, clears the way for both players to be considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Manfred stated that permanent ineligibility ends upon a player’s death, arguing that deceased individuals no longer threaten the game’s integrity. Rose, MLB’s all-time hits leader, and Jackson, one of baseball’s greatest hitters, had been banned for gambling-related scandals. They’ll be eligible for a Classic Baseball Era Committee vote in December 2027.
Why Was Pete Rose Banned?
Why was Pete Rose banned from baseball? Rose was banned in 1989 after an investigation by attorney John Dowd found he bet on 52 Cincinnati Reds games in 1987 while managing the team. Initially denying the allegations, Rose accepted a permanent ban under Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti. In 2004, he admitted to betting on baseball in his book My Prison Without Bars, though he claimed he only bet on his team to win.
The ban made Rose ineligible for the Hall of Fame, a decision reinforced in 1991 when the Hall ruled that permanently ineligible players couldn’t be inducted. Rose, who also served time for tax evasion in the 1990s, sought reinstatement multiple times—most recently in 2022—but was denied until now.
Why Was Shoeless Joe Jackson Banned?
Why was Shoeless Joe Jackson banned from baseball? Jackson was banned in 1921 for his role in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, where he and seven Chicago White Sox teammates were accused of fixing the World Series for gamblers. Despite a .356 career batting average, Jackson and his teammates were permanently suspended by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, even though they were acquitted in a criminal trial.
The scandal, driven by low player salaries and resentment toward White Sox owner Charles Comiskey, tarnished Jackson’s legacy. He appeared on Hall of Fame ballots in 1936 and 1946 but received less than 1% of votes due to his ban, which barred him from Cooperstown until this reinstatement.
Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Career Stats
Pete Rose stats highlight his greatness. Over 24 seasons with the Reds, Phillies, and Expos, Rose had a .303 batting average, 4,256 hits (an MLB record), 160 home runs, 1,314 RBIs, and 2,165 runs scored. He won three World Series, two Gold Gloves, the 1963 Rookie of the Year, the 1973 NL MVP, and a Silver Slugger.
Shoeless Joe Jackson stats are equally impressive. In nine full seasons, Jackson posted a .356 batting average (fourth all-time), a .940 OPS, 170 OPS+, and a 62.2 WAR. His career was cut short by the ban, but his numbers cement his status as one of baseball’s best hitters.
Public Reactions and Hall of Fame Prospects
The Pete Rose reinstatement has sparked mixed reactions. Reds fans celebrated at Pete Rose Night on May 14, 2025, at Great American Ball Park, where the Reds lost 5-3 to the Chicago White Sox. The Reds issued a statement thanking Manfred, calling Rose “one of the greatest players in baseball history.” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Rose “should have always been” in the Hall of Fame.
On X, some fans lauded the decision, with one user calling it “about time,” while others criticized MLB’s timing, noting Rose’s death in September 2024 at age 83 made the move bittersweet. Jackson’s reinstatement drew support, with fans citing his .356 average as undeniable evidence of his Hall-worthiness, though some questioned if gambling’s stigma will linger.
What’s Next for Rose, Jackson, and MLB?
The Pete Rose reinstatement opens a new chapter for MLB. Both players need 12 of 16 votes from the Classic Baseball Era Committee in 2027 to be inducted, potentially in 2028. The decision raises questions about other controversial figures like Barry Bonds, who remains eligible but unelected due to PED allegations.
Manfred’s ruling comes as MLB profits from legal sports betting, a shift some fans on X called hypocritical given Rose’s punishment. As the NL East standings show the Phillies leading at 28-14 and the Cubs at 23-19 in the NL Central, the focus shifts to whether Rose and Jackson will finally take their place among baseball’s immortals.
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