In a move that has set the sports world ablaze, former President Donald Trump announced that he would posthumously pardon baseball legend Pete Rose, decades after he was permanently banned from Major League Baseball (MLB) for gambling on games. Trump also renewed his long-standing call for Rose to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, calling the league “lazy” for keeping him out.
Rose, who passed away last year at the age of 83, remains one of baseball’s most controversial figures. With 4,256 career hits—more than any other player in history—his legacy on the field is undeniable. However, his betting scandal as a player and manager for the Cincinnati Reds led to a lifetime ban in 1989, keeping him from receiving the sport’s highest honor. The scandal rocked the baseball world, as it was revealed that Rose had bet on games while managing the Reds, raising concerns over the integrity of the sport. In 2004, after years of denial, he admitted in his autobiography, My Prison Without Bars, that he had indeed bet on baseball, though he insisted he never bet against his team.
A Pardon, But No Hall of Fame Guarantee
Trump’s announcement came via his Truth Social platform, where he stated he would sign a “complete pardon” for Rose in the coming weeks. He acknowledged Rose’s wrongdoing but argued that his bets were only placed on his team winning. “Pete Rose was one of the greatest baseball players of all time,” Trump wrote. “He made some mistakes, but the punishment was far greater than the crime. It’s time to right this wrong.”
However, the pardon does not directly impact Rose’s status with MLB or the Hall of Fame, as those are governed by the league and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, not federal law. A lifetime ban from MLB means that Rose remains ineligible for induction into Cooperstown, regardless of Trump’s intervention.
Rose’s son, Tyler Rose, expressed gratitude for the pardon, saying it “would mean the world” to their family and fans. “It’s surreal because we talked about this just seven or eight months ago,” he said in an interview with Newsmax, recalling a conversation with his father about whether Trump could help him return to baseball. “He knew it wouldn’t happen while he was alive, but it’s great.”
A Complicated Legacy
Despite his on-field brilliance, Rose’s reputation remains tangled in controversy. Beyond his gambling, he pleaded guilty in 1990 to filing false tax returns, serving five months in federal prison. The financial scandal tarnished his reputation further, reinforcing the perception of him as a deeply flawed figure who made repeated poor decisions. Additionally, allegations emerged in 2017 that he had engaged in a relationship with an underage girl in the 1970s—claims that further complicated efforts to restore his image. Rose denied the allegations but admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a young woman.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred rejected Rose’s appeal for reinstatement in 2015, citing evidence that he continued betting on baseball, even after his ban. “Mr. Rose has not presented credible evidence of a reconfigured life,” Manfred wrote at the time, signaling that the league had no intention of overturning its decision. Rose, however, continued to appeal to the public, frequently arguing that his punishment was too severe compared to other players who were caught using performance-enhancing drugs yet remained eligible for the Hall of Fame.
Will the Hall of Fame Change Its Stance?
While Trump’s pardon could rehabilitate Rose’s public perception, it has no direct influence on the Baseball Hall of Fame’s rules. The Hall has maintained that players banned from MLB remain ineligible for induction, a stance that Trump harshly criticized.
“Baseball, which is dying all over the place, should get off its fat, lazy ass and elect Pete Rose,” Trump declared in his social media post. His strong words reflect the frustration of many fans who believe Rose has suffered enough for his transgressions. Some point out that other baseball greats, like steroid-era players Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, remain on the fringes of Hall of Fame consideration despite their own controversies.
However, the Hall of Fame has stood firm on its policy, and there is little indication that Trump’s pardon will change its stance. In 1991, the Hall’s board of directors specifically ruled that any player on baseball’s permanently ineligible list—like Rose—could not be inducted, effectively closing the door on his candidacy. The rule was implemented after Rose’s ban, ensuring that his exclusion would remain intact despite fan petitions and celebrity endorsements over the years.
For now, Rose’s legacy remains a paradox—a record-setting player whose career was overshadowed by his own actions. The pardon may offer some symbolic redemption, but the Hall of Fame door remains firmly closed. Unless MLB takes action to reinstate him, Rose’s name will remain absent from Cooperstown, his achievements celebrated but his status forever in limbo.
