In October 2024, we reported on the passing of baseball legend Pete Rose at the age of 83 in Las Vegas. Now, just over five months later, Major League Baseball (MLB) is reportedly reviewing the possibility of lifting the late Cincinnati Reds star’s lifetime ban.
Rose, who remains the all-time MLB leader in hits, has been permanently ineligible since 1989 after agreeing to a settlement with then-Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti. The agreement followed an investigation into allegations that he had bet on games while playing and managing. Although Rose was never formally declared guilty by MLB, he later admitted to wagering on baseball but insisted he only placed bets in favor of his team winning.
MLB Reassessing Rose’s Status
The renewed discussion about Rose’s reinstatement comes shortly after former President Donald Trump expressed his belief that the legendary player should be eligible for the Hall of Fame. Trump’s remarks, made through a series of statements, argued that Rose’s achievements should not be overshadowed by his betting history.
ESPN has since reported that MLB is actively considering removing Rose from the league’s ineligible list. This follows a petition filed by Los Angeles attorney Jeffrey Lenkov. He submitted a formal request for reinstatement to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on January 8. The petition was filed after Lenkov met with Rose’s eldest daughter, Fawn Rose. He also had prior discussions with Manfred in December.
According to Lenkov, the commissioner engaged in thoughtful and constructive discussions on the matter. Signaling that the league may be open to reevaluating Rose’s decades-long ban. If reinstated, Rose would become eligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. A long-debated topic among fans and analysts.
A Hall of Fame Career, But No Induction
Despite being one of baseball’s most accomplished players, Rose has remained on the outside of Cooperstown due to his ineligibility. He still holds MLB records for career hits, games played, at-bats, and singles. A 17-time All-Star, he won three World Series championships, including being named the MVP of the 1975 Fall Classic.
In 1999, Rose was voted onto the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, a fan-selected group honoring the sport’s greatest players. However, of the 30 players chosen, he remains one of only three not inducted into the Hall of Fame. Alongside Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire, both of whom were passed over due to their connections to performance-enhancing drugs.
The MLB Stance on Betting
While the gambling landscape has shifted significantly since Rose’s ban, with sports betting now legal in 39 states and widely integrated into MLB broadcasts and stadium advertising, the league has maintained strict rules against player involvement in betting.
MLB’s regulations continue to prohibit players, coaches, officials, umpires, and club management from placing any wagers on baseball. The league’s misconduct rules state that any individual found betting on a game they are involved in will be declared permanently ineligible.
Rose’s case remains a divisive issue in baseball history. However, the recent discussions within MLB suggest that the league may be inching toward a decision that could change the fate of one of its most iconic figures.
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Although Pete Rose’s case remains a divisive issue in baseball history, the recent discussions within MLB suggest that the league may be inching toward a decision that could change the fate of one of its most iconic figures.
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