Pete Rose has finally been granted a measure of redemption by Major League Baseball — and he’s not alone in that honor.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Tuesday that Rose, who was placed on MLB’s permanently ineligible list back in August 1989 due to betting on baseball, has been officially reinstated. Joining him in this posthumous reinstatement is none other than “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, according to a report by ESPN.
“Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game,” Manfred stated in a letter addressed to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov, who had submitted a formal request on January 8 to reconsider Rose’s status. “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.”
Jackson was among the eight Chicago White Sox players banned from baseball in 1921 for their involvement in the infamous scheme to throw the 1919 World Series. He passed away in 1951 at the age of 64.
With this decision, both Rose and Jackson are now potentially eligible to be considered for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, starting as early as 2028.
Rose passed away in September at age 83, never having had the opportunity to see his name appear on a Hall of Fame ballot during his lifetime.
{Matzav.com}