Major League Baseball revives eligibility for Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Gone but Not Forgotten

Major League Baseball revives eligibility for Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made a revolutionary decision last Tuesday, reinstating Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, both of whom were banned due to sports gambling scandals. This move makes both players eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame, eight months after Rose's death and a day before the Cincinnati Reds pay tribute to their hits legend with Pete Rose Night.

The New Policy

Manfred announced that MLB's policy on permanent ineligibility had been changed, stating that bans would expire at death. The league revealed that 17 individuals, including all eight banned members of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox, former Phillies president William D. Cox, and ex-Giants outfielder Benny Kauff, had their status changed by this decision [1].

The Waiting Game

While Rose and Jackson can now be considered for the Hall of Fame, their induction process isn't straightforward. Under current rules, the earliest they could be inducted would be 2028, as the Hall of Fame has a rule that anyone on the permanently ineligible list can't be considered for election [2].

The Committee's Call

If not on the permanently banned list, Rose would have been eligible on the ballots each from 1992 through 2006. He garnered 41 votes in 1992 and 243 votes over the span [2]. Both players are now eligible for the Hall's Classic Baseball Era, which will meet in December 2027 to consider candidates [2].

Making the Final Cut

A 10-member historical overview committee selects the eight ballot candidates with the approval of the Hall's board, and the ballot is then considered by 16 members at the winter meetings, with a 75% or higher vote needed for induction [2].

Getting It Done

Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark confirmed that players affected by Manfred's ruling would indeed be considered [3]. The induction process isn't only about votes, though. These players still have to prove they played clean, transparent games [4].

Stay tuned to find out if Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame in the coming years. The debate doesn't end with their reinstatement—a lot more needs to be done before they can be inducted.

Trump's Involvement

While U.S. President Donald Trump has stated plans to pardon Rose posthumously, it remains unclear what precise actions a presidential pardon for Rose would entail [3].

References:

Associated Press - Baseball Reinstatement
MLB.com - What's Next for Shoeless Joe Jackson?
Yahoo Sports - Will Donald Trump Help Get Pete Rose Back in the Hall of Fame?
Sports Illustrated - Remembering Pete Rose's Life in Baseball

Sports-betting controversies aside, Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson are now eligible for sports-betting reconsideration and potential induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, following the MLB's decision to change its policy on permanent ineligibility. Despite this, their induction process remains complex, with the earliest possible induction set for 2028 according to the Hall's current rules.