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Read Full BioMajor League Baseball (MLB) has officially reinstated Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, removing both names from the league’s permanently ineligible list after decades of exclusion due to gambling-related scandals.
This decision, announced by Commissioner Rob Manfred, marks a significant shift in MLB’s approach to historical gambling violations.
Does the MLB Hall of Fame Beckon for Rose and Jackson?
Rose, MLB’s all-time hits leader, was banned in 1989 following an investigation that found he bet on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds, a direct violation of MLB’s strict anti-gambling rules.
Bob Castellini, Principal Owner and Managing Partner of the Cincinnati Reds reacted positively to the news, stating: “On behalf of the Reds and our generations of loyal fans, we are thankful for the decision of Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball regarding the removal of Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list.”
Jackson, a key figure in the 1919 Black Sox scandal, received a lifetime ban in 1921 for allegedly conspiring to fix the World Series, despite being acquitted of criminal charges.
Manfred’s decision clarifies that permanent ineligibility now ends upon an individual’s death, stating that a deceased person “cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game” and that a lifetime ban serves as a sufficient deterrent.
Both Rose and Jackson are now eligible for Baseball Hall of Fame consideration. Under current Hall of Fame voting procedures, the earliest possible induction is in 2028.
This move comes as legalized sports betting becomes increasingly integrated into the professional sports landscape.
A Wider Shift in Attitude Towards Sports Betting
MLB’s move coincides with the NCAA considering lifting its longstanding ban on professional sports betting for college athletes, coaches, and staff.
If enacted, this policy change would allow these individuals to legally wager on professional sports, such as the MLB, NFL and NBA, while maintaining the prohibition on betting on NCAA-sponsored events.
The Division I Board of Directors voted 21-1 in favor of deregulating professional sports wagering and has forwarded the proposal to the Division I Council for further review. A final decision could be reached as early as late June 2025.
The NCAA’s current rules prohibit all players, coaches, and officials from betting on both professional and collegiate sports that are also played at the college level.
The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to align NCAA policy with the evolving betting landscape and to streamline compliance for member schools.
The prohibition on college sports betting would remain in place to protect the integrity of collegiate competition.
