Baseball enthusiasts are already pushing for Pete Rose’s induction into the Hall of Fame following an announcement from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. Rose has been removed from the permanently ineligible list, alongside 16 other deceased players, including the infamous “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.
As ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser pointed out, however, it’s important to remember that Manfred doesn’t hold the keys to the Hall of Fame; that responsibility lies with the baseball writers. Kornheiser emphasized this, saying, “Rob Manfred won’t let you into the Hall of Fame. Our member baseball writers will put you in the Hall of Fame. We will forgive the interruption.”
He also noted that baseball writers are the true gatekeepers of the game, who take violations quite seriously—highlighting Jackson’s connection to game-fixing.
On social media, fans expressed their disappointment, feeling strongly that Rose’s reinstatement should lead to his immediate placement in the Hall of Fame, a sentiment that has blossomed since the 1990s.
Kornheiser raised another point about the current voting landscape, mentioning players like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who are eligible as well but haven’t garnered the votes needed for induction. “Who is eligible for the Hall of Fame now? Barry Bonds is eligible. Mark McGwire is eligible,” he remarked. “Are they always in there? They don’t look like that from the vote.”
Interestingly, Kornheiser isn’t opposed to Rose’s inclusion eventually. “You know, Mike (Wilbon), I’ll have Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame,” he added. “I put his sins on the plaque and put his achievements on the plaque.” It’s a complex issue—certainly, Rose’s actions shouldn’t overshadow his success, but there are still lingering questions about whether he belongs there just yet.
Rose, often referred to as one of baseball’s greatest, was banned after it was revealed he gambled on games while he was both a player and manager. Initially, he denied these claims but later admitted to gambling in 2004.
Manfred stated that ineligibility will cease upon a player’s death, arguing that deceased individuals no longer pose a threat to the integrity of the game. He concluded that permanent ineligibility would end with the passing of the individual, allowing someone like Rose to be reconsidered.
Interestingly, in March, former President Donald Trump expressed his support for Rose, advocating for his forgiveness after Rose served prison time in 1990 for tax-related offenses. Despite some serious allegations Rose faced, including accusations in 2017 relating to past behaviors, his potential return to the Hall of Fame now hinges on the baseball writers’ vote.
