Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred made a polarizing decision today when he deemed that players who had passed away would be removed from the permanently ineligible list. The move makes former Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies legend Pete Rose eligible for the Hall of Fame.
Rose played just five seasons for the Phillies. He was responsible for helping the team win its first World Series in 1980. However, Rose found himself on the permanently ineligible list in 1989 allegations that he was betting on games while he was manager of the Reds. In 1991, shortly before Rose was eligible for the Hall of Fame, the Hall’s board determined that players on the permanently ineligible list would not be eligible for election, creating “the Pete Rose rule.”
Many people in the baseball world think Rose’s involvement in gambling should keep him out of the Hall of Fame forever. However, Manfred does not see it that way. Manfred noted that a deceased player cannot pose a threat to the integrity of baseball and that there is no greater punishment than one that lasts a lifetime. The Phillies made clear their stance on the commissioner’s decision.
“The Phillies support today’s decision by Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball to remove Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list,” read the team’s statement. “As one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Pete made significant on-field contributions to the Phillies over his five seasons (1979-83) with the club, highlighted by our first World Series title in 1980.”
Rose is the all-time hit leader. He collected 4,265 career hits in his 24-year career. While 19 of those seasons came with the Reds, he was a four-time All-Star with the Phillies. Rose was a 17-time All-Star, MVP Award winner, Silver Slugger, three-time batting champion, three-time World Series champion and one-time World Series MVP.
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Rose will be eligible for voting into the Hall of Fame. He could be enshrined as soon as 2028, but it is now in the hands of voters. Many will still say he should be deemed ineligible, but after over 30 years, he will at least have a chance.
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