MLB Hall of Fame Doors Finally Open for Pete Rose but Ban Lift Ignites Heated Debate Among Fans: “It Makes No Sense”

For decades, MLB has stood firm on a principle that once seemed unshakable. A strong stance of permanently barring a player from the sport’s highest honors, no matter how legendary the talent. The message was clear: Greatness on the field would not excuse misconduct off it. But now, it seems the line in the sand is beginning to blur. Things are changing for Pete Rose!

Recent developments suggest a quiet but significant shift in baseball’s stance. MLB’s announcements involving Pete Rose, arguably the most high-profile figure on the ineligible list, hint at a changing tide. Once rigid in its moral posture, the league seems more open to rewriting parts of its storied past.

“Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game,” Manfred wrote in a letter to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov, who initially petitioned for Rose’s removal. “Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve.”

Breaking: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred removed Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and other deceased players from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list.

Manfred ruled that MLB’s punishment of banned individuals ends upon their deaths. They are now presumably… pic.twitter.com/YkIZ34jMUu

— ESPN (@espn) May 13, 2025

Pete Rose, the 17x All-Star with an astonishing 4,256 hits to his name, saw his legendary career come to a crashing halt in 1989 when an MLB investigation exposed that he had been gambling on games while serving as both player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds. Moreover, in a move that would seal his fate, he delivered a crushing blow in 1991, ruling that anyone banned from the game would also be barred from baseball’s most hallowed shrine.

Well, not to forget that President Donald Trump has also been a vocal supporter of Rose’s reinstatement for years and is credited with sparking the conversations that ultimately led to MLB’s policy shift. His involvement added political weight to an already contentious debate, reigniting public interest in one of the game’s most controversial figures.

With the ban now lifted, Rose will finally be eligible for a HOF run. While his past transgressions cast a long shadow, Rose admitted his faults and served his punishment. Hence, at this point, acknowledging his unparalleled achievements on the field isn’t just fair, it’s long overdue.

But the eventual lifting of the ban is still generating mixed reactions from fans! Yes, don’t believe everyone is on the same page, celebrating Manfred’s decision.

Mixed bag reactions among the fans for Pete Rose

Fans are divided over this new rule, with some praising the decision, while others remain critical, citing the importance of preserving the game’s integrity.

So is there no lifetime ban for betting on baseball? Is it no longer MLBs cardinal sin? These bans should remain. It makes no sense to suddenly lift them after all this time, as if the bans were wrongly given but we're only finding it out now. Also, it's ridiculous to do this…

— Nick in the D (@NickInTheD) May 13, 2025

Lifting the ban even while maintaining the game’s integrity – that’s one paradox. But going with the move after the man has passed away? Well, one fan thinks “it makes no sense.” Now, it’s a gesture that comes too late for the man to experience its meaning. For decades, Rose was denied the game’s highest honor while alive. Posthumous redemption, while symbolic, lacks the weight of true reconciliation. So, if the intention was to honor his legacy, it would have meant far more while Rose was still here to see it. Lost opportunity!

“I do not want either Pete Rose or Joe Jackson in the baseball Hall of Fame.” A gut punch offered by one. Well, baseball has long prided itself on its integrity, and Rose’s actions undoubtedly tainted that image. MLB was always on the idea that the outcome of a game should never be influenced by personal interests or external factors like gambling. But Rose’s decision to bet on games while managing the Reds was a direct breach of those values. So, a few fans have made a valid argument about the importance of reinstating the public’s faith in the fairness of the game.

Way overdue. Was Pete rose an all around great guy? Probably not but the talent was there and he was among the all time greatest players in baseball history. Should’ve been in the hall years ago

— Erick (@EKlambara) May 13, 2025

Well, some fans are more about the on-field antics of a player than their personal lives. So, this fan is right about acknowledging the ballpark legend, keeping his not-so-great-guy image aside. For those unversed, in 1990, Rose served five months in federal prison for filing false income tax returns. This conviction further hurt his credibility and came at a time when he was already banned from baseball. But what about his record of playing 3,562 games, the most in history? Unmatched! And yes, that deserves recognition, even if it comes as a tribute…

“So death really is the ultimate appeal process.”Ahh, now that’s an argument, MLB would face a few. Pete Rose first formally appealed to have his lifetime ban lifted in 1997, eight years after the ban was imposed in 1989 by then-Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti. Again in 2015, he submitted a second formal request for reinstatement, this time to Manfred. Alas, he got rejected both times, and now Rose might be seen in the Cooperstown posthumously! Even though a sarcastic jab, probably, makes sense, doesn’t it?

Well, no matter what Rose had achieved on the field, he is still a strict no-no for baseball purists! “Wow, yet another meaningless move in Professional Baseball,” one such purist said. While Rose’s supporters point to his record-breaking career and long-standing punishment, purists argue that some lines should never be crossed, no matter how many hits you get. For them, protecting baseball’s integrity is more important than celebrating even its most legendary players.

Now that being said, it would be worth watching if Rose can ultimately make his way to Cooperstown! Well, there’s nothing bad about recognizing a legend, even though the community failed him when he was alive…

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