In a long-awaited and groundbreaking move, Major League Baseball has lifted the bans on Pete Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and other deceased players, making them eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame. The decision, announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred on May 13, marks a significant shift in the league’s stance on its permanently ineligible list, stirring excitement among baseball fans.
Rose, MLB’s all-time hit king with 4,256 hits, and Jackson, a star outfielder for the 1919 Chicago White Sox, were long barred due to gambling scandals, but now have a chance at Cooperstown.
Rose, who passed away in September 2024 at age 83, was banned in 1989 for betting on games, including those of his Cincinnati Reds, while he was a player and manager. Jackson, one of eight White Sox players banned for allegedly throwing the 1919 World Series, has been a polarizing figure in baseball history despite his .356 career batting average.
The reinstatement opens the door for both to be considered by the Hall’s Classic Baseball Era Committee, which evaluates players whose careers ended over 15 years ago. They’ll need 12 of 16 votes for induction at the committee’s next meeting in December 2027.
Rose and Jackson eligible for Hall of Fame
The decision comes after years of advocacy, notably from ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., who detailed a campaign led by Rose’s daughter, Fawn, and Jeff Lenkov. On December 17, 2024, they met with Manfred and MLB’s chief communications officer, Pat Courtney, in Manhattan, pushing for Rose’s reinstatement.
“Pete Rose and ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson are now eligible for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York,” ESPN reported, noting the historic nature of the ruling. Manfred’s decision applies to all deceased players on the ineligible list, a move seen as addressing long-standing controversies in baseball’s past.
Rose’s name never appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot due to his ban, while Jackson had been considered by voters in the past but never inducted. The reinstatement has sparked debate on social media, with some fans on X celebrating the change-“Finally, Pete Rose gets his shot at the Hall!“-while others question the timing, given Rose’s recent passing. Jackson’s case, tied to the infamous Black Sox scandal, remains divisive, but his .408 batting average in 1911 and career stats make a strong case for his enshrinement.
The ruling reflects MLB’s evolving perspective on its history, especially as gambling becomes more accepted in sports. For now, the baseball world awaits the committee’s vote, eager to see if Rose and Jackson will finally take their places among the game’s immortals in Cooperstown.
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