Cincinnati Reds icon passed away last fall at 83. A key figure in the Big Red Machine’s two World Series titles during the 1970s, Rose remains one of the most celebrated players of his era.
In 1989, Rose accepted what was essentially a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball following allegations that he bet on games. He was placed on baseball’s ineligible list, and just over a year later, the National Baseball Hall of Fame implemented a rule barring voters from selecting players on that list. Despite his extraordinary career achievements, this rule has kept Rose from being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
However, President Donald Trump appears poised to grant Rose a full pardon and has expressed his support for the all-time hits leader’s induction into the Hall of Fame. In a social media post late Friday night, Trump announced his intent to sign a complete pardon in the coming weeks and urged Major League Baseball to enshrine Rose in Cooperstown.
Rose’s career accolades include winning the NL Rookie of the Year in 1963 and the NL MVP a decade later. He finished in the top 10 of MVP voting 10 times, earned 17 All-Star selections, won three batting titles, secured two Gold Gloves, and claimed three World Series championships. While his on-field success is undoubtedly Hall of Fame-worthy, his gambling history and other off-field controversies ultimately derailed his path to enshrinement.
Throughout his post-playing years, Rose made multiple attempts to be reinstated, appealing to former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and later engaging in discussions with current commissioner Rob Manfred. Despite his efforts, he was never reinstated and passed away without achieving his long-sought place in the Hall of Fame.
It remains uncertain whether Trump’s impending pardon will influence the Baseball Hall of Fame to posthumously induct Rose, but it certainly adds another layer to the ongoing debate.