Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred has made a momentous decision: to remove Pete Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and other deceased players from baseball’s “permanently ineligible” list. This move opens the door to the possible induction of these legends into the Hall of Fame, recognizing their achievements on the field.
This policy reversal, announced on Tuesday, removes bans for Rose, who bet on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds, and for members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox, involved in the fixing of the World Series, among others.
MLB argues that the ineligibility was irrelevant once the players had passed away. The main consequence of the ban was to prevent their induction into the Hall of Fame, officially known as the “National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum”.
Museums, by their nature, are destined to tell history, and the history of sport, like any other, is full of nuances. They should not be limited to a sweetened and approved version, nor should they allow external considerations to overshadow sporting achievements.
While the actions of Rose and other players were incorrect, and deserved the corresponding sanctions, their achievements on the field are undeniable. Rose’s record of 4,256 hits, his three World Series titles, and his MVP award, are just a few examples of his impact on the game.
Rose’s betting scandal and subsequent legal problems are part of his story. The Hall of Fame should welcome these figures, presenting both their successes and their mistakes, so that the public can form their own opinion.
MLB’s policy, in using Hall of Fame exclusion as a deterrent, was wrong. A museum should tell the story, and Hall induction should be for the best players, regardless of their controversies.
Manfred, however, is still unwilling to remove the ineligible list for those still living, seeking to dissuade current players. The Hall already houses figures with questionable conduct, and their personal failings are part of its history.
The history of baseball includes figures with a more detrimental impact on the integrity of the game than gambling, such as those who opposed racial integration. Public opinion and commercial realities have changed, and there are currently betting houses in MLB stadiums.
It’s time to tell the complete story of baseball, with its best players, teams, and stories, no matter how controversial they may be.
