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3d ago

MLB Ends Lifetime Bans for Deceased Figures, Opening Hall of Fame Eligibility

Commissioner Rob Manfred's policy change reinstates Pete Rose and 16 others, igniting debates over ethics and legacy.

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Pete Rose, of the Cincinatti Reds, crouches on the field before a game at Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York, New York, July 24, 1978. The game, against the New York Mets, resulted in Rose increasing his hitting streak to 37 consecutive games (the streak eventually lasted 44 games).

Overview

  • MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that lifetime bans under Rule 21 will conclude upon an individual's death, reinstating 17 deceased figures, including Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.
  • The decision allows reinstated individuals to be considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame, with Rose and Jackson eligible for the Classic Baseball Era Committee's review in December 2027.
  • Cincinnati fans celebrated Pete Rose's reinstatement with tributes at Great American Ballpark, honoring his record-breaking career despite his gambling-related ban.
  • Criticism has emerged from figures like Trevor Bauer and Marcus Giamatti, who argue the move undermines the game's integrity and the precedent set by former Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti.
  • The policy change reflects MLB's evolving relationship with sports betting, as the league now partners with gambling platforms while maintaining strict rules for players and officials.