U.S. President Donald Trump has recently made headlines by announcing his plans to pardon baseball great Pete Rose, who passed away last year at the age of 83. Rose, one of baseball's most controversial figures, was banned from the sport for life due to gambling, but Trump believes the all-time hit champion deserves redemption.
On March 1, 2025, Trump took to Truth Social, stating, "Over the next few weeks I will be signing a complete pardon of Pete Rose, who shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on his team winning. He never betted against himself, or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history, and won more games than anyone in sports history." This announcement stirred considerable buzz, as Rose's ban has long hindered his path to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Rose, affectionately known as "Charlie Hustle" for his relentless playing style, amassed impressive records during his career from 1963 to 1986 with the Cincinnati Reds. He leads the Major League Baseball (MLB) all-time charts with 4,256 hits, 14,053 at-bats, 3,562 games played, and several other records. Rose won three World Series titles and was named an All-Star 17 times.
Despite his incredible achievements, Rose's legacy has been overshadowed by the betting scandal. He was banned for life by MLB Commissioner Bart Giamatti back in 1989 after admitting to betting on games, albeit claiming he never bet against his team. His admission came only after years of denial, having proclaimed his innocence for 15 years before facing the truth.
The significant attention on Trump's comments came as he had previously spoken about Rose and his desire to see him reinstated to the Hall of Fame. Trump's Twitter history showcases his continued advocacy for Rose, with at least 18 tweets referencing the player and calling for his induction.
Interestingly, the relationship between Trump and Rose has been complicated. Rose, at one point, had to deny endorsing Trump's presidential campaign through his attorney, indicating the strange intertwining of their paths. A significant detail arose when Trump posted a picture of a baseball signed by Rose, which read, “Mr. Trump, Please make America great again. [Signed] Pete Rose,” demonstrating the president's desire to connect with the baseball icon.
Trump reiterated his intentions during his first term, previously making the same appeal back in February 2020, signaling a long-standing interest in helping Rose's case.
This most recent pledge for pardoning Rose has raised questions about the future negotiations with MLB and public expectations. The Philadelphia Phillies famously canceled a ceremony honoring Rose back in 2017 after disturbing allegations surfaced about him being involved with an underage girl decades ago. Rose insisted he believed the girl was 16, citing the age of consent at the time as the source of his defense.
Further complicate the situation, there has been growing political tension between MLB and Trump's administration, particularly after the league pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta amid scrutiny over controversial voting laws. The shifting political dynamics could create new pressures on MLB concerning Rose’s case.
The backdrop of Rose’s controversial legacy is now dramatically shifting, especially following his death. Many speculate whether the MLB will reconsider its policies following the President’s strong stance. He previously criticized the league for not having the "courage or decency" to induct Rose, noting the fanfare and calls for his recognition.
Recently, news broke on March 1, 2025, concerning Rose's family filing another petition to have him posthumously removed from the eligible list. This petition follows their meet with Commissioner Rob Manfred late last year, showing the family's determination to change Rose's status.
The question remains: how will MLB respond to the renewed push from Trump and Rose’s family? There’s speculation about the intricacies surrounding Rose’s lifetime ban and whether it could expire with his death. Should MLB choose to accept his family’s petition, it would lead to discussions about the definition of the "permanently ineligible" list instituted by the Baseball Hall of Fame, which prohibits those on the list from being inducted.
Finally, there’s no denying the buzz surrounding Trump's announcement on the potential pardon. Many baseball fans are watching closely, knowing his influence as president might sway the conservative forces within the league.
The interplay of these events, Trump's involvement, and Rose's complicated legacy highlights the changing narrative within Major League Baseball, which hasn't navigated this terrain quietly. American baseball may be on the verge of re-evaluations tied to player legacies in ways it hasn’t felt for decades.