On March 1, 2025, President Donald Trump announced his intention to issue a posthumous pardon for baseball legend Pete Rose, who was permanently banned from Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1989 for gambling on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. MLB’s all-time hits leader, Rose, died in Sept. 2024 at 83.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump expressed his disapproval of MLB’s decision to exclude Rose from the Hall of Fame, stating:
“Major League Baseball didn’t have the courage or decency to put the late, great, Pete Rose, also known as ‘Charlie Hustle,’ into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Now he is dead, will never experience the thrill of being selected, even though he was a FAR BETTER PLAYER than most of those who made it, and can only be named posthumously. WHAT A SHAME!”
In response to the President’s announcement, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is reportedly considering a petition filed by Rose’s family to remove him from baseball’s ineligible list, potentially paving the way for his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Rose’s lifetime ban has been a subject of debate for decades, with previous commissioners denying his requests for reinstatement.
The potential lifting of Rose’s ineligibility, alongside President Trump’s planned pardon, has reignited discussions about his legacy and rightful place in baseball history. Supporters argue that his on-field achievements merit Hall of Fame recognition, while critics contend that his gambling activities compromised the integrity of the sport.
No official timeline has been provided for the pardon or MLB’s decision regarding Rose’s reinstatement.