Trump Announces Plans to Pardon Late Baseball Legend Pete Rose/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump announced Friday that he intends to issue a full pardon for baseball legend Pete Rose, the all-time Major League Baseball (MLB) hits leader, who was banned for life in 1989 for gambling on games. Rose, who passed away last year at 83, admitted in 2004 to betting on his own team to win, but MLB refused to reinstate him. Trump’s decision has reignited longstanding debates over Rose’s legacy, sports gambling ethics, and MLB’s strict rules on betting. The White House has not clarified whether the pardon would extend to Rose’s 1990 tax evasion conviction, for which he served five months in prison.
Trump to Pardon Pete Rose: Quick Look
- Trump’s Announcement: Declared on Truth Social that he will pardon Pete Rose in the coming weeks.
- Rose’s Lifetime Ban: MLB banned Rose in 1989 for betting on games, including ones involving his own team, the Cincinnati Reds.
- Hall of Fame Exclusion: Despite being MLB’s all-time hits leader (4,256 hits), Rose remains barred from induction.
- Legal History: In 1990, Rose pleaded guilty to tax evasion, serving five months in prison—unclear if Trump’s pardon would cover this conviction.
- Reaction from MLB: No official response, but MLB has previously upheld Rose’s lifetime ban, with Commissioner Rob Manfred rejecting reinstatement in 2015.
Trump Announces Plans to Pardon Late Baseball Legend Pete Rose
Trump Defends Rose, Questions MLB’s Decision
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Friday night to announce his intention to pardon Pete Rose, stating that Rose only bet on his team winning and should not be permanently punished.
“Over the next few weeks, I will be signing a complete pardon of Pete Rose, who shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on his team winning,” Trump wrote.
“He never betted against himself or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history, and won more games than anyone in sports history.”
Trump did not specify whether the pardon would extend to Rose’s 1990 tax evasion conviction, which led to five months in federal prison.
Pete Rose’s Ban from Baseball
Rose, who spent most of his playing career with the Cincinnati Reds (1963-1986), remains one of the most controversial figures in baseball history.
- 1989 Ban: An MLB investigation led by John Dowd determined that Rose had bet on baseball games, including ones involving his own team, the Cincinnati Reds.
- 2004 Admission: Rose later acknowledged his gambling but maintained he never bet against his team.
- Hall of Fame Exclusion: Despite being MLB’s all-time leader in hits, games played, at-bats, singles, and outs, Rose has remained ineligible for Hall of Fame induction.
- 2015 Rejection: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred denied Rose’s request for reinstatement, citing the league’s strict stance on gambling violations.
Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Decision
The sports world and political circles were divided on Trump’s announcement.
- John Dowd, who led MLB’s 1989 investigation, stated that MLB has no role in presidential pardons, emphasizing that Rose’s lifetime ban was a baseball decision, not a legal one.
- Baseball purists argue that Trump’s pardon will not affect Rose’s Hall of Fame status, as the MLB Hall of Fame operates independently.
- Gambling critics believe that pardoning Rose could set a dangerous precedent, especially with sports betting becoming more mainstream.
Will This Impact Rose’s Hall of Fame Status?
A pardon does not overturn MLB’s ban, meaning Rose would still be ineligible for the Hall of Fame unless MLB reinstates him. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) has long followed MLB’s decision, barring Rose from consideration.
- The Hall of Fame Rule: A player must be eligible with MLB to be considered for enshrinement.
- No Indication of Reversal: MLB has shown no willingness to lift the ban, even after Rose’s passing in 2024.
What’s Next?
Trump has said he will sign the pardon within weeks, but the specific legal scope remains unclear. MLB has not responded publicly, and legal analysts suggest that the pardon would have little effect on baseball’s internal rules.
Rose’s legacy remains a subject of heated debate, with supporters advocating for his Hall of Fame induction, while critics emphasize the importance of upholding MLB’s integrity policies.
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