MLB Reinstates Pete Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson,

MLB announced Tuesday it has reinstated Pete Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and 15 others—all deceased—who had previously been on the permanently ineligible list due to gambling on baseball. Due to their reinstatement, they are eligible to enter the Hall of Fame.

In a statement to Pete Rose’s attorney following the decision, Commissioner Rob Manfred said, “In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 (the rule against misconduct in baseball) have been served.

Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.”

The full list of persons taken off the permanently ineligible list includes:

• All of the Chicago White Sox involved in throwing the 1919 World Series: Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver and Lefty Williams
• Joe Gedeon
• Gene Paulette
• Benny Kauff
• Lee Magee
• Phil Douglas
• Cozy Dolan
• Jimmy O’Connell
• William Cox
• Pete Rose

Following the decision, Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the Baseball Hall of Fame board, said Rose, Jackson, and the other 15 previously banned people could be enshrined in the Hall of Fame if they’re elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee, next scheduled to meet in December 2027. The committee consists of 16 members, and people on the committee ballot need to earn 12 votes to get elected to the Hall.

Expect debates over whether Rose and Jackson should be in the Hall—even despite the recent decision—to dominate baseball chatter over the next two-and-a-half years.

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