Rob Manfred Talks Pete Rose Reinstatement with Donald Trump

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is weighing a petition to posthumously remove Pete Rose from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list. This development follows a conversation with President Donald Trump that took place two weeks ago.

Manfred made the announcement during a meeting with the Associated Press Sports Editors. He revealed that discussions extended beyond Rose, touching on concerns about the impact of Trump’s immigration policies on foreign players from nations such as Cuba and Venezuela.

The petition to reevaluate Rose’s status was filed in January by Jeffrey Lenkov, a Southern California attorney who represented him prior to the baseball legend’s death at age 83 in September.

“I met with President Trump two weeks ago, and one of the topics was Pete Rose,” Manfred stated without elaborating further on their discussion. Trump has publicly expressed his desire to pardon Rose, suggesting that while Rose may have erred in betting on baseball, he only wagered on his own team winning.

Trump announced on social media that a pardon would be issued, though specifics regarding its implications remain unclear, especially concerning Rose’s past legal troubles, including a guilty plea related to false tax returns.

Despite his monumental accomplishments—4,256 hits, and records for games and plate appearances—Rose’s gambling on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds led to his ban in 1989. Manfred acknowledged that reinstating Rose would be more complex than it appears, emphasizing the importance of timely deliberation.

“I’m not going to give this the pocket veto,” Manfred affirmed, indicating a commitment to reach a decision soon. However, even if reinstated, it wouldn’t guarantee Rose a Hall of Fame ballot; he must first be nominated by the Hall’s Historical Overview Committee.

If reinstated, Rose could eventually be considered by the Classic Baseball Era committee in December 2027. Manfred noted that the current legal landscape surrounding sports betting should not influence perceptions of Rose’s case. He reiterated that gambling rules are strict within the sport, regardless of evolving societal norms.

Additionally, the Commissioner briefly touched on discussions surrounding the challenges faced by foreign-born players, highlighting a commitment to ensure their seamless transition across borders.