Pete Rose, 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson Removed From MLB Ban List — What It Means

Baseball Ends Lifetime Bans for Dead Players

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred,” “Pete Rose,” “Shoeless Joe Jackson,” “permanently ineligible list. This rule change ends lifetime bans for players who broke league rules-mainly for gambling.

Now, they can be considered for the Hall of Fame.

Why Were These Players Banned?

• Pete Rose was banned for betting on games while he was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
• "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and several others were linked to fixing the 1919 World Series.
• All have since passed away.

Manfred said in a letter,

“A person who has passed away is no longer a threat to the integrity of the game.”

What Happens Now?

The change means baseball historians and Hall of Fame voters can now include these players in the museum.

Why It Matters:

• The Baseball Hall of Fame is more than just an honor—it’s also a museum that exists to share the full history of the game.
• Leaving out stars like Pete Rose, who had 4,256 career hits and three World Series titles, leaves a big gap in baseball history.

Pete Rose: A Career of Highs and Lows

• Record-setting player nicknamed “Charlie Hustle”
• 17-time All-Star
• Won MVP in 1973
• Famous for his head-first slides and fierce play

But also:

• Banned for gambling
• Served prison time for tax crimes
• Faced other personal scandals

His full story is messy—but it’s real.

Should He Be in the Hall of Fame?

That’s the big question. Rose broke rules. But his impact as a player is historic.

"As one writer put it, “This is the Baseball Hall of Fame—not the pearly gates.”
“Let the public decide what to think.”

The Bigger Issue: Telling the Truth

Baseball's Hall of Fame already includes players with troubled pasts. So, why block Rose or Jackson?

• Some Hall of Famers opposed racial integration.
• Others had serious personal issues.
• Still, they made it in.

MLB Still Banning Living Players

Commissioner Manfred said the ban still applies to living rule-breakers. He believes lifetime bans deter cheating.

But many now wonder:
Should the Hall of Fame be used to punish?
Or should it be used to tell baseball’s full story, the good and the bad?

Final Thought: History Is Messy

Times change. Sports betting is now legal and even promoted at MLB stadiums.

Baseball is part of American history—and so are its scandals.

The Baseball Hall of Fame should serve as a real museum that tells the game’s full story - not just highlight a list of perfect role models. Show the full game, the real people, and the unforgettable moments.

Source: espn