Pete Rose Ban Decision Looms Following Meeting with Trump

Commissioner Rob Manfred Discusses Pete Rose with Donald Trump

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed that he and Donald Trump talked about Pete Rose during a meeting two weeks ago. Manfred is expected to make a decision regarding a petition to lift the lifetime ban on Rose, who passed away in September.

Concerns Over Immigration Policies

At a gathering of the Associated Press Sports Editors on Monday, Manfred stated that their discussions also covered various issues, including the impact of Trump’s immigration policies on players from countries like Cuba and Venezuela.

Petition for Reinstatement

Manfred is contemplating a petition for Rose’s reinstatement, filed in January by Jeffrey Lenkov, a lawyer from Southern California who represented Rose before his death at the age of 83.

Trump’s Support for Rose

Trump previously indicated in February via social media that he intends to grant “a complete PARDON of Pete Rose.” He pointed out that while Rose shouldn’t have bet on baseball, he only wagered on his own team’s success. However, there is no further information on the specifics of this potential pardon.

Rose’s MLB History

Pete Rose holds the record for the most hits in MLB history with 4,256, along with records for games played (3,562) and plate appearances (15,890). He was the 1973 National League MVP and contributed to three World Series championship teams.

Historical Context

An investigation led by attorney John M Dowd revealed that Rose had bet on the Cincinnati Reds to win during his time as both player and manager between 1985 and 1987. In 1989, he accepted a permanent ban from MLB.

Future Considerations

If reinstated, Rose would still need to be nominated for the Hall of Fame by the Historical Overview Committee and would not automatically appear on the ballot. Manfred emphasized the distinction between the privileges of playing in MLB and the responsibilities that come with it, particularly regarding gambling.