Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson are among a list of players that the MLB reinstated as eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. issued a new league policy “that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual” after a petition from Rose’s family. Rose and Jackson had both been given bans related to gambling on MLB games. Rose was banned in 1989 amid charges that he had bet on baseball games, while Jackson was implicated in the “Black Sox” scandal in 1919.
Opinions on Rose — MLB’s all-time leader in hits (4,256) — have long been divided, particularly after a 2016 court document alleged that he had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old in the 1970s (the suit involving those claims was settled out of court). Rose would eventually admit to betting on MLB games in a 2004 memoir.
Relive Pete Rose’s wild baseball career in new book
Here is how pundits and baseball fans around the internet reacted to the news of Pete Rose and “Shoeless Joe” being reinstated for Hall of Fame eligibility:
Pete Rose, ‘Shoeless Joe’ Hall of Fame bans lifted: MLB world reacts
Major League Baseball issues policy decision on permanent ineligibility status after death: https://t.co/T4EA7Qyi8e pic.twitter.com/7Byd9syrV5
— MLB (@MLB) May 13, 2025
‘Dark day for baseball’: MLB’s shock decision on Pete Rose could open floodgates
Additionally, the following statement is being sent on behalf of Mike Schmidt. pic.twitter.com/0FTXVs08D3
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 13, 2025
It’s a shame they waited until Pete Rose had died to take him off the banned list. He should have been in the HOF years ago.
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) May 13, 2025
The only good thing about Pete Rose being lifted off the permanent ban is that soon we won’t have to listen to the worst sports-talk radio topic of all-time.
— Brendan McCaffrey (@b_mccaffrey) May 13, 2025
Opinion: Reinstating Pete Rose would damage game as much as his gambling did
Will never not be wild to me that we went from Pete Rose being banned for life for gambling on baseball to this pic.twitter.com/4TBt6nURUU
— Jack Gohlke Stan Account (@austin_mcbrown) May 13, 2025
Absolutely pathetic they waited for Pete Rose to pass away before giving him his day in the sun
Reprehensible https://t.co/6a0q2AevIA
— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) May 13, 2025
TBF it was a tad hypocritical IMO for @MLB to be fully engaged with online gambling sites & then treat Pete Rose & Shoeless Joe like public enemies pic.twitter.com/Bmw14jEaJl
— CTIronman (@CTIronman) May 13, 2025
PETE ROSE DESERVED TO SEE HIS NAME IN THE HALL OF FAME
— JohnRocker (@itsJohnRocker) May 13, 2025
This was Pete Rose to me in May of 2017 saying he knew he would never make the Hall of Fame while he was alive. pic.twitter.com/FnqV0ZpPeq
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) May 13, 2025
The amount of sympathy for Pete Rose on this app is sickening.
— Gina Muscato (@GinaMuscato) May 13, 2025
Shoeless Joe Jackson’s HOF Resume
.356 BA
.940 OPS
170 OPS+
62.2 bWARHe did this in only nine full seasons and four others that totaled 165 games. pic.twitter.com/O16fqRq5Yj
— Dean Ciriaco (@skippsviewdean) May 13, 2025
So let me get this straight—it’s OK to get into the HOF if you blatantly broke gambling rules, but not if you blatantly broke rules on steroids that MLB was too weak to put on the books?
I don’t care that much if Pete Rose is in or not, but this stuff continues to be a mess.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 13, 2025
Is The MLB Making A ‘MASSIVE MISTAKE’ By Allowing Pete Rose To Be Considered For The Hall Of Fame?@FelgerAndMazz @mikefelger @TonyMassarotti @bigjimmurray @IAmJamesStewart @MaggioreKevin @LukeGraham05 pic.twitter.com/hxNk48lT5i
— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) May 13, 2025
Bob Castellini speaks pic.twitter.com/TiPJyxbMwY
— Votto De La Cruz (@EvilJoeyVotto) May 13, 2025
me unfollowing everyone defending pete rose pic.twitter.com/swOUGXyGxh
— brayan bello defender🙂↕️ (@tessiesbestie) May 13, 2025
Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame? Here’s how it works with MLB ban now over.
It’s not the Hall of Saints. It’s the Hall of Fame reflecting excellence on the baseball diamond.
Under that measure, both Shoeless Joe and Pete Rose are unquestionably Hall of Fame players. https://t.co/AGjmD6WyXY
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) May 13, 2025
The Chicago White Sox now count the Supreme Pontiff among their fans and Shoeless Joe Jackson could become a Hall of Famer. pic.twitter.com/Kx3n0yMyqM
— Joseph S. Pete (@nwi_jsp) May 13, 2025
Shoeless Joe deserves to be in the Hall
Pete Rose can rot https://t.co/P4jAtIIjtJ
— JaguarGator9 (@JaguarGator9NFL) May 13, 2025
Pete Rose doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame. Nor does Shoeless Joe Jackson.
— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) May 13, 2025
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pete Rose, ‘Shoeless Joe’ MLB ban lifted: Reactions
