What happened
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Tuesday that Pete Rose and other deceased individuals previously banned from baseball have been reinstated, ending their lifetime ineligibility. In a letter to the Rose family’s attorney, Manfred stated that the decision allows Rose and 16 other deceased figures, barred for gambling and related controversies, to now be considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Who said what
Pete Rose, who passed away last September, accepted a lifetime ban in 1989 after being found guilty of betting on games involving his team, the Cincinnati Reds, while he was a player and manager. The move also affects players like Shoeless Joe Jackson and the seven Chicago Black Sox players banned for fixing the 1919 World Series.
Manfred explained that Rule 21, which forbids betting on games, has fulfilled its purpose once a player is deceased, as they no longer pose a threat to the sport’s integrity. However, Marcus Giamatti, son of the former commissioner who banned Rose, criticized the decision, calling it a sad day for baseball, the nation, and fans.
What next?
According to The Wall Street Journal, persuading Manfred to lift Rose’s ban may have been the easy part. Although Rose’s achievements on the field are undeniable, his involvement in gambling remains a serious offense in baseball’s history. When the Hall of Fame’s “Classic Era Committee” votes again in late 2027, Rose may still struggle to gain entry.
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