Pete Rose, 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson removed from MLB's banned list

 

Major League Baseball has made a significant move, removing Pete Rose and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson from its banned list. This decision comes after a long-standing campaign to reinstate Rose, who had been banned from baseball since 1989 due to his involvement in gambling. Rose, MLB's all-time hits leader, had been seeking reinstatement for many years, but his efforts were consistently rejected.

The removal of Rose and Jackson from the banned list was announced by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who stated that the permanent ban list is no longer applicable to individuals who are no longer alive. Manfred's decision was based on the idea that a lifetime ban is no longer effective as a deterrent once the individual has passed away. Rose passed away in September 2024, while Jackson died in 1951.

Rose's ban from baseball was a result of an investigation that found he had wagered on games during his tenure as Cincinnati Reds manager. This led to a lifetime suspension from then-MLB commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti. Despite his on-field achievements, including holding the record for most hits in MLB history, Rose was never eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame due to his ban.

The removal of Rose and Jackson from the banned list paves the way for their potential induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Rose will be eligible for consideration by the Historical Overview Committee in December 2027. Jackson, who holds the fourth-highest batting average in MLB history, may also be considered for induction in the future.

Pete Rose's on-field achievements are undeniable. He is a 17-time All-Star and holds numerous MLB records, including most hits, games, at-bats, plate appearances, and singles. Rose was also a three-time NL batting champion and won the 1973 MVP award and the 1975 World Series MVP award.

"Shoeless" Joe Jackson, on the other hand, was banned from baseball in 1921 for his involvement in the Black Sox scandal, in which several members of the Chicago White Sox were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series. Jackson's ban has been the subject of much debate over the years, with many arguing that he was unfairly punished.

The decision to remove Rose and Jackson from the banned list is a significant development in the history of Major League Baseball. It paves the way for their potential induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame and provides a measure of redemption for two of the game's most iconic figures.