President Donald Trump made an announcement on Saturday about Pete Rose, a legendary figure in baseball known for his record-breaking hits. Trump said he intends to give Rose a full pardon soon, while Major League Baseball (MLB) is thinking about a petition to lift Rose’s lifetime ban from the sport.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he would issue a “complete pardon” for Rose. Rose was banned in 1989 after it was revealed that he bet on his own team during his time as a manager. This scandal not only ended his managerial career but also made him ineligible for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Trump also criticized MLB for not reinstating Rose, expressing that the league lacks the “courage or decency” to honor him in the Hall of Fame. It’s still not clear what exactly Trump plans to pardon, as he didn’t mention Rose’s previous guilty plea to tax evasion, which resulted in a five-month prison sentence in the early 1990s.
For many years, Rose denied betting on baseball until he revealed in his 2004 autobiography that he had been betting as a way to relive the thrill of his past successes. He mentioned that the rush from winning batting titles and championships led him to gamble.
Reports from ESPN and the Associated Press indicated that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is considering a request from Rose’s family, filed earlier this year, to have Rose removed from the league’s ineligible list. This step is crucial for Rose’s potential future in the Hall of Fame.
Jeffrey Lenkov, who represented Rose until he passed away in September 2024, confirmed that they are waiting to hear back from MLB about the petition. Lenkov attended a meeting about the case alongside Rose’s daughter and MLB executives.
Even though the petition is pending, Lenkov has not sought assistance from the White House to expedite the process for Rose’s reinstatement. Without it, Rose cannot be considered for inclusion in the Hall of Fame.
A spokesperson from the Hall of Fame noted that if Rose were to be reinstated, his induction would not come from the standard voting process based on the Baseball Writers’ Association. Instead, it would have to go through the Hall’s Era Committee.
Trump has previously voiced his support for Rose’s acceptance into the Hall of Fame. He tweeted in 2020 that while Rose may have gambled, he only did so on his own team’s victories and has already paid a heavy price for his actions.
Over the years, Rose sought reinstatement from MLB twice, once in 2016 and again in 2020. He is remembered as one of baseball’s greatest players, holding the all-time record with 4,256 hits over a 24-year career. His intense playing style earned him the nickname “Charlie Hustle,” reflecting his relentless drive on the field.
