Overview
- Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that lifetime bans will expire upon a player’s death, reinstating Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and 15 others from the permanently ineligible list.
- The decision allows these individuals to be considered for Hall of Fame induction under the Classic Baseball Era Committee, with the earliest enshrinement possible in summer 2028.
- Pete Rose, MLB's all-time hits leader, was banned in 1989 for betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds; he passed away in September 2024.
- Shoeless Joe Jackson and seven other members of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox, banned for their alleged involvement in fixing the World Series, are also eligible for Cooperstown consideration.
- The ruling has reignited debates about integrity, redemption, and legacy in baseball, with some supporting the move while others criticize its impact on the sport’s ethical standards.