Manfred Defends the Reinstatement of Pete Rose and Other Banned Players
Commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the recent decision to reinstate Pete Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and other deceased players who had been banned. Manfred explained that this action represents “the fulfillment of the original agreement that baseball made with Pete Rose”.
Although he acknowledged that the decision came “late”, Manfred offered the most detailed explanation to date about his May 13 determination to remove Rose, Jackson, and other deceased players from MLB’s lifetime ineligible list. This decision opens the door to consideration of Rose and Jackson for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Manfred detailed the specifics of Rose’s punishment, which the all-time hits king accepted in “an agreement” with then-commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti in August 1989.“I would say three things,” Manfred commented during an interview on “CBS Mornings.” “First: Our list of lifetime ineligibles is, in effect, a ban from working in the game. It’s a matter of logic. There’s no reason for a deceased person to remain on that list. Second: Pete Rose is part of the history of our game. All other players, including ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson, have been considered by the Hall of Fame and have made a decision. I didn’t see any reason to leave Pete Rose out, without being considered.”
Rob Manfred
“Finally, I think what people don’t realize is that Pete Rose was not disciplined by Commissioner Giamatti,” Manfred added. “He entered into an agreement with the league. At that point, he went on the ineligible list for life knowing that the rules allowed the Hall of Fame to consider him. Commissioner Giamatti came out, gave a press conference the day of the agreement and was asked about the Hall of Fame and said that this agreement should have nothing to do with the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame should consider Pete Rose under its existing rules. Therefore, I view the decision as baseball fulfilling the agreement it originally made with Pete Rose.”
Rob Manfred
In 1991, the Hall of Fame implemented a rule stating that any player on a banned list would be ineligible for the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose’s name has never appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot.
Manfred was also asked if his decision, made seven months after Rose’s death at age 83, was “difficult”.
“Yes, it’s a difficult decision because people are passionate about these issues,” Manfred responded. “When you come from the business side that I come from, honoring your agreements is really important and this was something that was pending, in my opinion.”
Rob Manfred
Following Manfred’s decision, Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the Hall of Fame’s board of directors, stated that Rose, Jackson, and others will be considered by the Historical Review Committee, which “will develop the eight-name ballot for the Baseball’s Classic Era Committee… to vote on when it meets in December 2027.”
Rose and Jackson would need 12 out of 16 votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
