Pete Rose Reinstated from MLB's Permanently Ineligible List

This makes Pete Rose eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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(Cincinnati, OH) - Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. issued a policy decision regarding the status of individuals who have passed away while on the permanently ineligible list. The issue had never been formally addressed by Major League Baseball, but an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision in the modern era.

Pete Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list. Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLB's policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual.

In a letter to Jeffrey M. Lenkov, the attorney for Rose, Commissioner Manfred wrote, "In my view, a determination must be made regarding how the phrase 'permanently ineligible' should be interpreted in light of the purposes and policies behind Rule 21, which are to: (1) protect the game from individuals who pose a risk to the integrity of the sport by prohibiting the participation of such individuals; and (2) create a deterrent effect that reduces the likelihood of future violations by others. In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 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."

Commissioner Manfred further wrote, "While it is my preference not to disturb decisions made by prior Commissioners, Mr. Rose was not placed on the permanently ineligible list by Commissioner action but rather as the result of a 1989 settlement of potential litigation with the Commissioner's Office. My decision today is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti's expectations of that agreement."

Pete Rose is now eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame. "Shoeless Joe" or Joseph Jackson was also reinstated.