Fans split over MLB’s ruling on Pete Rose and chance of Hall of Fame induction

Pete Alonso's Hall of Fame induction chances have been resurrected after he was removed from Major League Baseball's permanently ineligible list on Monday.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the decision on the eve of Pete Rose Day, making the all-time hits leader eligible for induction in Cooperstown for the first time.

The Cincinnati Reds icon was banned from the Hall of Fame ballot because of gambling on MLB games during his managerial career with the Reds. However, Manfred said that the punishment ends after the deaths of the individuals. The latest announcement has fans split.

"So this means all the steroid users will get into the HOF after they die too right? Bad call," wrote a fan.

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"That's a shame, had to wait until the man died before you let him back in. Can't wait for his HoF induction," countered a fan.

"This is disgraceful. Either keep the “permanent ban” permanent, or don’t. It’s not permanent if they become eligible after they die," wrote another.

Fans continued to be divided over the decision.

"Too little too late. disgraceful not to reinstate Pete Rose while he was alive," alleged a fan.

"I'm not happy. could be a pandora's box of problems as the living 'roiders sue to get their chance to be in the hall."

"I’m sorry but this is atrocious, Pete should’ve been able to see himself in the HOF…."

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Petition to reinstate Pete Rose picked up after Donald Trump's statement

The petition to remove Pete Rose from MLB's banned list picked up pace after President Donald Trump urged baseball to recognise Rose's legacy.

Trump wrote on X:

"Baseball, which is dying all over the place, should get off its fat, lazy ass, and elect Pete Rose, even though far too late, into the Baseball Hall of Fame!’’

The Reds icon died in September. His reinstatement means he will be eligible for the 2027 Classic Baseball Era committee ballot and will need 12 votes for his induction in 2028.

The latest announcement also raises questions over the non-induction of players from the infamous steroid era.

About the author

Chaitanya Prakash is an editor who covers US Sports at Sportskeeda. His first brush with sportswriting was in 2012 when the greatest football manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, bid farewell to the beautiful game.

Although having started out professionally as a cricket writer in 2022, Chaitanya's curiosity and indiscriminate interest in all sports in general eventually introduced him to America's favorite pastime.

While Chaitanya's favorite player from the current crop is the dynamic Venezuelan Ronald Acuna Jr., his all-time favorite, however, is Pedro Martinez, for his self-belief and consistency. He also rates Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip in 2015 as his favorite moment in baseball history.

Chaitanya specializes in reporting on technical aspects of the game or analyzing patterns behind specific plays. He also likes pondering over players' self-assessments following the conclusion of a game as it helps him get an idea of how they think about the sport in general.

When not cheering for his favorites across sports, Chaitanya likes being transported to the past through a good war documentary or a historical documentary in general.

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Edited by Chaitanya Prakash