MLB Reinstates Pete Rose Posthumously, Opens Hall of Fame Eligibility

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred announced the posthumous reinstatement of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson from the permanent ineligible list, allowing Rose to be eligible for Hall of Fame consideration. Rose was banned in 1989 for gambling on baseball while managing the Cincinnati Reds, a violation of Rule 21 established to protect the sport's integrity following the Black Sox scandal. Despite multiple reinstatement attempts during his lifetime, Rose remained banned until this decision, which was supported by legislation and recognized by Reds owner Bob Castellini, who praised Rose's legacy. The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some celebrating the acknowledgment of Rose's achievements and others criticizing the decision due to Rose's gambling and other controversies. Manfred justified the reinstatement by stating that a deceased player no longer poses a threat to the game's integrity. This decision also opens the door for Jackson, whose involvement in the 1919 World Series scandal remains disputed, to be reconsidered for Hall of Fame induction.