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In a historic move that’s reignited debates and sparked celebrations across baseball, Major League Baseball has officially lifted its decades-long bans on Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, opening the door for their potential induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the landmark decision on May 13, marking a seismic shift in how the league addresses its most controversial legacies.
For Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader, and Jackson, the enigmatic Chicago White Sox outfielder, this reversal ends a lifetime of exclusion—but will it finally earn them a place among the sport’s immortals?
From outcasts to contenders: A path to Cooperstown
Rose and Jackson, two names synonymous with both brilliance and scandal, now face their most consequential at-bat: winning over the Hall of Fame’s Classic Baseball Era Committee. The 16-member panel, which evaluates players whose careers ended over 15 years ago, will vote in December 2027. Both legends need 12 votes to secure enshrinement—a steep climb, but one that’s suddenly possible after MLB’s stunning reversal.
Pete Rose, who passed away in 2024 at age 83, was banned in 1989 for betting on games, including those involving his own Cincinnati Reds during his tenure as player-manager. His lifetime ban overshadowed a record 4,256 hits and three World Series titles. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, meanwhile, remains one of baseball’s most tragic figures. A .356 career hitter, Jackson was banned in 1921 for his alleged role in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, despite maintaining his innocence until his death in 1951.
The campaign that changed history
This decision didn’t happen overnight. Behind the scenes, a years-long advocacy effort fought to rewrite MLB’s stance. Rose’s daughter, Fawn Rose, and attorney Jeff Lenkov spearheaded a campaign that culminated in a pivotal December 2024 meeting with Manfred and MLB executives. Their push, coupled with shifting public sentiment around gambling’s role in modern sports, convinced the league to reassess its rigid policies—especially for deceased players.
“Pete Rose and ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson are now eligible for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York,” ESPN confirmed, highlighting the emotional weight of the ruling.
For Jackson’s supporters, the move offers a chance to separate his undeniable talent from the Black Sox stigma. For Rose loyalists, it’s a bittersweet victory, arriving just months after his death.
MLB’s New Era
The decision reflects MLB’s evolving relationship with gambling—a once-taboo topic now embraced through partnerships with sportsbooks. As legal wagering reshapes professional sports, the league seems eager to reconcile its past.
“This isn’t just about Rose or Jackson,” said analyst Ken Rosenthal. “It’s about acknowledging that history isn’t black-and-white.”
For Cooperstown, the stakes are high. Inducting Pete Rose and Joe Jackson would force baseball to confront its most enduring controversies. But for fans who’ve long championed their legacies, this is a chance to celebrate greatness—flaws and all.
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