Pete Rose reinstated from MLB’s permanently ineligible list
ByWHIO Staff
ByWHIO Staff
CINCINNATI — Major League Baseball’s all-time hit leader, Pete Rose, has been reinstated by the MLB commissioner after ruling that lifetime bans do not apply posthumously.
This makes him eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
He was banned from baseball in 1989 after accusations that he gambled on baseball games while he played and managed the Reds. He later admitted to betting on baseball.
He had applied for reinstatement several times, but his requests were rejected.
In 1991, the first year of Rose’s eligibility for the Hall of Fame, the Hall’s board decided any player on MLB’s permanent ineligible list would also be ineligible for selection into the Hall. The decision later became known as “The Pete Rose Rule.”
“Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said, according to multiple media reports.
Rose passed away at the age of 83 on September 30, 2024.
National Baseball Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark released the following statement:
The National Baseball Hall of Fame has always maintained that anyone removed from Baseball’s permanently ineligible list will become eligible for Hall of Fame consideration. Major League Baseball’s decision to remove deceased individuals from the permanently ineligible list will allow for the Hall of Fame candidacy of such individuals to now be considered. The Historical Overview Committee will develop the ballot of eight names for the Classic Baseball Era Committee – which evaluates candidates who made their greatest impact on the game prior to 1980 – to vote on when it meets next in December 2027.
The decision to reinstate him comes a day before the Cincinnati Reds honor him for Pete Rose Night.
Bob Castellini, principal owner and managing partner of the Cincinnati Reds, released the following statement:
On behalf of the Reds and our generations of loyal fans, we are thankful for the decision of Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball regarding the removal of Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list. Pete is one of the greatest players in baseball history, and Reds Country will continue to celebrate him as we always have. We are especially happy for the Rose family to receive this news and what this decision could mean for them and all of Pete’s fans.
During his career, the 17-time All-Star won three World Series championships, was named National League and World Series MVP, and received two Gold Glove Awards.
His No. 14 is retired in Cincinnati and is in the Reds Hall of Fame.
The decision to change the league’s policy on permanent ineligibility, stating the bans will now expire after death, could allow other notorious players to enter the Hall of Fame.
This includes ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson, the 1919 Chicago White Sox, known for fixing the World Series that year, and 15 other deceased players.
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Pete Rose Baseball hit king Pete Rose (Associated Press, file )
Pete Rose 24 Oct 1999: Pete Rose of the All Century Team is interviewed by the press before the World Series game two between the New York Yankees the Atlanta Braves at the Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. The Yankees defeated the Braves 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 11: Pete Rose hugs Tommy Helms during the ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breaking the career hit record of 4,192 on September 11, 2010 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. Helms was the first base coach on the record breaking night of September 11, 1985. Rose was honored before the start of the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 11: (L-R) Tom Browning, Cesar Geronimo, Pete Rose, Tony Perez and Eric Davis take in the ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of Rose breaking the career hit record of 4,192 on September 11, 2010 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was honored before the start of the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 11: Bob Castellini the CEO of the Cincinnati Reds and Pete Rose share a laugh during the ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breaking the career hit record. Rose was honored before the start of the game between the Pittsburg Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 11, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Pete Rose Manages the Bridgeport Bluefish BRIDGEPORT, CT - JUNE 16: Former Major League Baseball player Pete Rose looks on during batting practice prior to managing the game for the Bridgeport Bluefish against the Lancaster Barnstormers at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard on June 16, 2014 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images) (Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
86th MLB All-Star Game CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 14: Former player and manager Pete Rose waves to the crowd prior to the 86th MLB All-Star Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 14, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
86th MLB All-Star Game CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 14: Former Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose and Barry Larkin walk on the field prior to the 86th MLB All-Star Game at the Great American Ball Park on July 14, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Pete Rose Speaks To Media After Lifetime Ban Upheld LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 15: Former Major League Baseball player and manager Pete Rose speaks during a news conference at Pete Rose Bar & Grill to respond to his lifetime ban from MLB for gambling being upheld on December 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Monday announced that he was rejecting Rose's application for reinstatement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
San Diego Padres v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 25: Former Cincinnati Reds player and Major League Baseball all-time hits leader Pete Rose speaks during his induction in to the Reds Hall of Fame before a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park on June 25, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
San Diego Padres v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 25: Former Cincinnati Reds player and Major League Baseball all-time hits leader Pete Rose poses for a picture with former Reds players Johnny Bench and Tony Perez during his induction in to the Reds Hall of Fame before a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park on June 25, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
San Diego Padres v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 26: Former Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony to retire his No. 14 prior to the game against the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park on June 26, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 17: Former Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose acknowledges fans during a statue dedication ceremony prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 17, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Dodgers defeated the Reds 10-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers v Cincinnati Reds CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 17: Former Cincinnati Reds great Pete Rose reacts during a statue dedication ceremony prior to a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on June 17, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Dodgers defeated the Reds 10-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
"Charlie Hustle & The Matter Of Pete Rose" World Premiere At The UNINTERRUPTED Film Festival LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 10: (L-R) Pete Rose and Mark Monroe attend "Charlie Hustle & The Matter Of Pete Rose" World Premiere At The UNINTERRUPTED Film Festival on July 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for HBO) (Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for HBO)
