Sayonara to the banned: MLB's shocking change of heart
MLB Commissioner's Decision to Reinstate Pete Rose Influenced by Donald Trump
In a sudden and surprising move, Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred has announced that players who were permanently banned from the sport due to various transgressions are now reinstated upon their passing. This decision has sent shockwaves through the world of sports, with many questioning its motivation.
The whispers of President Donald Trump's influence began when he publicly criticized MLB for not inducting Pete Rose into the Hall of Fame. In a typical Donald Trump fashion, he demanded action, telling the league to "get off its fat, lazy ass" and elect Rose posthaste[1]. While Manfred stopped short of confirming Trump as the driving force behind the decision, he did acknowledge that the president was among the voices supporting the reinstatement idea[1].
In May, Manfred made the official announcement, sending ripples throughout the sports world. The list of those now eligible includes baseball's all-time hit king, the late Pete Rose, set to expire in September 2024[2]. Other notables on the list include the fourth-highest batting average holder, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, and 15 others who found themselves permanently banned for various offenses[2].
Rose's transgressions include betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds from 1985 to 1987. Although he vehemently denied betting on his own team, he eventually admitted to wagering on opponents in his 2004 autobiography[2]. Jackson, on the other hand, was one of the eight Chicago White Sox members who accepted money to throw the 1919 World Series. While his supporters argue that his outstanding performance in the Series suggests he didn't try to throw any games, he did take the payout and was privy to the plan[2].
However, the reinstatement doesn't automatically guarantee a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame for these players. The rules stipulate that those on MLB's permanently ineligible list are also ineligible for the Hall. Now that the obstacle has been removed, enshrinement is a possibility[3].
Because Rose and Jackson were not inducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, they will be considered by different committees. In December 2026, a committee will decide on eight players for the Contemporary Era (1980 and later) player ballot. A separate committee will consider candidates for the 2026 Contemporary Era ballot for managers, executives, and umpires[3].
As these candidates were active before 1980, they won't be eligible until the 2027 Classic Era player ballot is put together[3]. A 16-member committee will then consider the candidates on the ballot, with a candidate needing 12 votes to secure a spot in the Hall of Fame[3].
So while the road to the Hall of Fame is now open for these once-banned players, they'll still have to wait a while to see if they've earned their place among the greats.
[1] Fox News. (2023, May 5). Manfred: Trump was one of 'a number of voices' who wanted Rose, others reinstated. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://www.foxnews.com/sports/manfred-trump-was-one-of-a-number-of-voices-who-wanted-rose-others-reinstated
[2] CBS Sports. (2023, May 5). MLB's permanent bans end upon death, Rose among those reinstated. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mLS-permanent-bans-end-upon-death-rose-among-those-reinstated/
[3] Sporting News. (2023, May 5). Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson reinstated by MLB, but still no Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/pete-rose-shoeless-joe-jackson-reinstated-mlb-hall-of-fame/cy7vn62xuts01qsdv39rhlm4f
Major League Baseball (MLB), after a surprising shift, has reinstated players permanently banned for various transgressions, such as Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, following their passing. However, induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame is still a possibility for these baseball legends, although they will have to wait for various committees to consider their cases in the coming years.
