Overview

• Major League Baseball announced the removal of 17 deceased individuals, including Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, from its permanently ineligible list.
• The decision reinterprets Rule 21, concluding that lifetime bans serve their purpose upon the individual's death, as they no longer pose a threat to the integrity of the game.
• Rose and Jackson are now eligible for Hall of Fame consideration by the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which will vote in December 2027 for potential induction in 2028.
• Critics, including John Dowd and Marcus Giamatti, argue the move undermines the significance of integrity-based bans in baseball's history.
• The ruling also affects Jackson’s 1919 Black Sox teammates and other individuals banned for gambling or integrity violations, reigniting debates over redemption and legacy in the sport.