In a historic and long-awaited decision, Major League Baseball has officially lifted the lifetime bans on two of its most controversial legends… Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson… along with 15 other deceased players. This bold move, announced by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, could finally pave the way for their long-overdue induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The decision comes after Pete Rose’s family formally requested a policy change following the icon’s death last year at the age of 83. Manfred revealed that MLB’s new stance is that permanent ineligibility will no longer extend beyond a person’s lifetime.
Pete Rose, affectionately dubbed “Charlie Hustle,” captivated fans with his relentless passion and unmatched stats. As the all-time leader in hits (4,256) and plate appearances (15,890), Rose carved out a 24-season career, mostly with his hometown team, the Cincinnati Reds. An 18-time All-Star and 1973 MVP, Rose was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2016, and his No. 14 jersey was permanently retired.
Yet, despite his on-field brilliance, Rose had been kept out of Cooperstown due to his lifetime ban for betting on baseball. That restriction, in place for decades, has now been posthumously lifted… potentially rewriting baseball history.
Similarly, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, known for his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, has remained a controversial figure for over a century. With the new policy, Jackson’s name, too, may finally be reconsidered by the Hall of Fame voters.
This landmark ruling signals a shift in how MLB honors its past… offering long-denied recognition to some of the game’s greatest yet most polarizing figures.
