Today's News: MLB Reinstates Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and 15 Other Players

This ruling makes those individuals, long barred due to gambling or other misconduct, eligible for Hall of Fame consideration.

Terrence Dorsey

May 14, 2025

Photo: AP

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Date: May 13, 2025
Topic: MLB Removes Deceased Players from Permanently Ineligible List, Reigniting Hall of Fame Debate
Summary: Major League Baseball announced it has posthumously removed Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and 15 other deceased individuals from its permanently ineligible list. Commissioner Rob Manfred justified the decision by arguing that death fulfills the intent of Rule 21, which is to protect the game's integrity and serve as a deterrent. This ruling makes those individuals, long barred due to gambling or other misconduct, eligible for Hall of Fame consideration. The decision drew reactions from MLB franchises, political figures such as Donald Trump, and fans across the country, reigniting debate over baseball’s historical approach to scandal and redemption.

Sources

Key Points

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred ruled that permanent ineligibility ends upon death, arguing that deceased individuals pose no ongoing threat to the game's integrity.
This reversal applies to 17 deceased individuals, notably Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.
All reinstated individuals now qualify for Hall of Fame consideration, with potential inclusion determined by the Classic Baseball Era Committee in December 2027.
The move follows decades of debate and multiple failed reinstatement petitions from Rose during his lifetime.
Trump has vocally supported Rose’s candidacy and criticized MLB for delaying recognition.
The decision marks a shift in tone during an era when MLB profits from legalized sports betting while still formally banning gambling by players and staff.

Unique Highlights

The Washington Post emphasized the irony of MLB benefiting from legal sports betting while maintaining harsh penalties for historical gambling offenses.
CNN detailed Shoeless Joe Jackson’s World Series performance, citing stats to challenge the basis for his ban.
The Wall Street Journal highlighted the logistical hurdles Rose still faces, such as the Hall of Fame committee’s infrequent meetings and voting thresholds.
Fox News included commentary from Chris Rose, arguing that Pete Rose hurt his own case through denial and opportunism.
The Athletic provided an in-depth recounting of past commissioners’ rulings and Rose’s own prediction that he’d only be inducted posthumously.

Contrasting Details

Fox News mentioned the statutory rape accusation against Rose, which no other outlet referenced.
CNN and NBC News noted Trump’s pledge for a “complete pardon,” while The Wall Street Journal was more reserved, stating only that Trump had advocated for Rose.
While most articles portrayed the reinstatement as a broad policy change, The Athletic emphasized the legal nuance that Rose’s original ban was part of a settlement, not a commissioner’s unilateral decision.
The Washington Post subtly critiqued MLB’s moral consistency given its partnerships with betting companies, a detail absent from other coverage.

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