MLB's Rob Manfred Considering Pete Rose's Removal from Ineligible List

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is reportedly weighing the possibility of removing Pete Rose from the league’s ineligible list, months after the baseball legend passed away at the age of 83. The move could finally bring closure to one of the most controversial sagas in Major League Baseball history.

Rose’s family filed a formal petition with MLB on January 8, seeking to overturn his ban. The petition followed a meeting between Rose’s daughter and Manfred, along with league spokesman Pat Courtney, in December. Jeffrey Lenkov, Rose’s attorney, described the meeting as "productive" and noted that the commissioner had been "respectful" while hearing their case.

Lenkov made an impassioned plea, stating, "It is now time to turn the page on Pete Rose's legacy in baseball and for the Hall of Fame to honor him. Whether you’re a fan or not, we are a nation built on second chances." He added, "We don’t write off people." A strong sentiment, especially when you consider Rose’s record-breaking career that’s been overshadowed by his gambling scandal.

Former President Donald Trump also threw his hat into the ring, announcing on social media that he intends to posthumously pardon Rose. In a fiery statement, Trump criticized MLB for its handling of Rose’s Hall of Fame candidacy, saying, "WHAT A SHAME!" He added that Rose’s gambling only involved betting on his team to win, not against it, and urged the league to finally recognize the player’s extraordinary achievements.

Nicknamed "Charlie Hustle" for his relentless style of play, Pete Rose was a cornerstone of the Cincinnati Reds, where he spent 19 of his 24 seasons as a player and even served as a player-manager for three years. Rose’s accolades include three World Series titles, a 1973 league MVP award, 17 All-Star appearances, and the record for most career hits at 4,256. Despite this, his involvement in gambling on baseball led to a lifetime ban in 1989, turning him into one of the sport’s most polarizing figures.

While Rose applied for reinstatement multiple times—most recently in 2020 and 2022—Manfred consistently denied his requests. The commissioner has cited MLB’s partnerships with sportsbooks as a key reason for maintaining the ban, even as legal sports betting becomes increasingly mainstream. Rose’s legacy remains complicated, but his story is a stark reminder of how the lines between redemption and rules can blur.

Interestingly, although Rose is still barred from Cooperstown, the Cincinnati Reds honored him by inducting him into their team Hall of Fame in 2016 and retiring his iconic No. 14 jersey. He continued to make appearances at MLB ballparks until his death, keeping his connection to the sport alive despite the controversy surrounding him.

Manfred’s decision on Rose’s reinstatement is expected in the coming weeks. Regardless of the outcome, this chapter of baseball history—and its complicated moral questions—will continue to spark debate among fans and historians alike.