MLB Removes Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson From Permanent Ban

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has removed Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, and other deceased players from the league's permanently ineligible list, making them eligible for Hall of Fame consideration. Manfred ruled that a lifetime ban ends upon a player's death, as deceased individuals no longer pose a threat to the game's integrity. This policy change affects Rose, who was banned in 1989 for betting on games as a player-manager, and Jackson, banned for his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, along with several other players from that era. The Baseball Hall of Fame will now consider these players for induction, with the earliest eligibility expected in 2028. Rose, who passed away in September 2024, and Jackson, who died in 1951, both had statistically impressive careers that many believe merit Hall of Fame inclusion. The decision has sparked renewed attention on the legacies of these players and the history of gambling-related bans in baseball.