Pete Rose: Finally in the Hall of Fame?

On May 13, 2025, Major League Baseball announced a groundbreaking policy change: deceased individuals previously on the league’s permanently ineligible list are now reinstated. In short, Rose is eligible for the Hall of Fame. The league’s all-time leader in hits was banned in 1989 while betting on games as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

Rose’s Illustrious Career

Reds great Pete Rose holds a star bearing his name. June 24, 2016.

Pete Rose belongs in Cooperstown. Plain and simple. He was, and remains, at the top of baseball’s greatest rankings. In his 24 year career (take a deep breath here), he amassed 4256 hits, was named an All-Star 17 times, won three World Series titles, won the NLMVP in 1973, all while playing five different positions on defense. Irrefutable member of baseball’s Mount Rushmore.

The Path to Reinstatement

Fans come downtown to pay their respects after Pete Rose’s death. Sept. 30, 2024.

After years and several rounds of appeals and debate, Rose’s family submitted a final request for reinstatement after his death in late 2024. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred finally stated:

“Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game.”

So, not only will Rose have an opportunity to be immortalized in the HOF, but a list of others will also have the chance. The list includes: Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver, Lefty Williams, Joe Gedeon, Gene Paulette, Benny Kauff, Lee Magee, Phil Douglas, Cozy Dolan, Jimmy O’Connell and William Cox.

Alongside others, the Reds’ all-time great’s legacy has a lengthy process to follow en route to the Hall. The Hall’s Classic Baseball Era Committee, the group that evaluates players whose careers began before 1980, is scheduled to meet in December 2027. If Rose is selected, he could be inducted as early as 2028.

"Rob Manfred does not put you in the Hall of Fame. The baseball writers put you in the Hall of Fame … (they) are guardians of the game. They take violations very seriously."

Tony Kornheiser doesn't expect Pete Rose to make the HOF, even after MLB made him eligible today: pic.twitter.com/XkwNokfzNV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 13, 2025

Mixed Reactions

Manfred’s decision evoked mixed feelings from fans and analysts alike. ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser criticized Rose’s chances, noting how his infractions could be detrimental to voters’ views of him. On the other hand, what are we talking about? One of the greatest players the game will ever see has the chance to reach, well, the very institution created to acknowledge the level of success he achieved.

So let us take a few minutes and look inwards. Is it really worth it to strip away an illustrious career because he wanted to bet the under on an Expos game?

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