In a pivotal moment for Major League Baseball, Commissioner Rob Manfred has confirmed he will soon rule on the request to lift the permanent ban of legendary player Pete Rose. This announcement comes in the wake of a recent meeting with former President Donald Trump, where the discussion centered on Rose’s controversial status within the league.
Speaking at a meeting of the Associated Press Sports Editors on April 28, 2025, Manfred revealed that he and Trump discussed several pressing issues, including Rose's eligibility for reinstatement. Rose, who passed away in September 2024, is the all-time leader in hits with 4,256 and is a figure shrouded in both admiration and controversy due to his gambling history.
Rose was banned from baseball in 1989 after an investigation revealed he had placed numerous bets on the Cincinnati Reds, the team he both played for and managed. Despite his impressive records, which include holding the all-time marks for games played (3,562) and at-bats (14,053), his gambling scandal has long overshadowed his achievements on the field.
During the meeting, Manfred stated, "I met with President Trump two weeks ago ... and one of the topics was Pete Rose, but I'm not going beyond that." This statement reflects the delicate nature of the discussions surrounding Rose's reinstatement, which has been a topic of debate for many years. Trump previously announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he intends to issue "a complete PARDON of Pete Rose," indicating his support for the former player.
However, it remains unclear what such a pardon would entail, especially concerning Rose's past legal troubles, including a five-month prison sentence for tax evasion in 1990. Trump's comments have reignited interest in Rose's case, with many fans and analysts advocating for his reinstatement to allow for potential induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In January 2025, attorney Jeffrey Lenkov filed a petition seeking to have Rose posthumously removed from MLB's permanently ineligible list. This petition is critical because, under a rule established by the Hall of Fame's board of directors in 1991, anyone on this list is ineligible for election to the Hall. Should Manfred decide to lift Rose's ban, he would still need to be nominated by the Hall's Historical Overview Committee before being eligible for consideration on the Classic Baseball Era ballot in December 2027.
Manfred acknowledged the complexities surrounding the decision, stating, "Reinstating Rose now is a little more complicated than it might appear on the outside," and he did not commit to a specific timeline for his ruling. "I'm not going to give this the pocket veto," he assured, emphasizing his intent to make a definitive decision on the matter.
While the potential reinstatement of Rose is a significant topic, Manfred also addressed concerns regarding Trump's immigration policies and their impact on foreign-born players in Major League Baseball. He expressed worries about how these policies could affect players from countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, stating, "Given the number of foreign-born players we have, we're always concerned about ingress and egress." Manfred has been in dialogue with the administration regarding these issues, underlining the importance of maintaining a stable environment for international athletes.
As the baseball world awaits Manfred's ruling, the conversation surrounding Pete Rose continues to evolve. His legacy as a player remains intact, but the question of his eligibility for the Hall of Fame looms large. Many fans and former players have voiced their support for Rose, with Reds manager Terry Francona stating earlier this year, "When it comes to Pete, you guys are well aware how I feel about him. He’s about the best teammate you could ever find."
As the season progresses, the Cincinnati Reds are honoring Rose by wearing a jersey patch featuring his iconic number 14, a tribute to his contributions to the team and the sport. This gesture has sparked renewed discussions about Rose's impact on baseball and the potential for his return to the game in some capacity.
In conclusion, the upcoming decision from Commissioner Manfred could reshape the narrative surrounding Pete Rose. Whether he will be reinstated or remain on the permanently ineligible list is a question that will be answered soon, but the implications of that decision will resonate throughout the sport for years to come.
