MLB Removes Pete Rose Lifetime Ban, HOF Eligibility Starts 2027

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and 16 other deceased players have been removed from MLB's permanently ineligible list, making them eligible for Hall of Fame consideration posthumously. This decision ends lifetime bans upon death, but Rose and Jackson will not be eligible for voting by the traditional baseball writers; instead, they will be considered by a Veterans Committee starting in 2027. While the ruling is historic, many experts and commentators, including Tony Kornheiser, remain skeptical about Rose's chances of induction due to the serious nature of their violations, such as betting on games and fixing the 1919 World Series. Manfred emphasized that the ban was not a pardon or exoneration, but rather a recognition that deceased individuals no longer pose a threat to the sport's integrity. The Phillies and some former players expressed support for the decision, highlighting Rose's accomplishments despite his controversies. Ultimately, while Rose is now eligible for the Hall of Fame, significant hurdles remain before he could be enshrined.