Today you can hardly watch a sporting event without seeing ads for legal gambling; but back in the days when Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose played, betting was not allowed anywhere near a sporting event outside the horse track.

On May 13, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred reinstated Jackson and Rose whose careers were marred by gambling scandals.  The reinstatement means that both players are now eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The players eligibility changed when Manfred altered the policy on the banning of players.  Manfred stated that any permanent ineligibility or ban would expire upon the death of the player.  Rose died last September at the age of 83..  Jackson died in 1951.

While Rose and Jackson are now eligible for the Hall of Fame nomination…and possible induction; the earliest date either one of them can appear on the ballot will be 2028.

The Cincinnati Reds have a Pete Rose Night scheduled this week.

As a result of Commissioner Manfred’s ruling, members of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox team, Philadelphia Phillies president Williams D. Cox, and New York Giants outfielder Been Kauff are all now eligible to be reinstated in the MLB…and possible Hall of Fame induction.

Rose agreed to a permanent ban in 1989 after being charged with betting on games in which he played and later managed in the 1980’s.  During his life, Rose attempted to get reinstated twice.  Then Commissioner Bud Selig never ruled on the request and Manfred rejected the petition in 2015 citing Rose failed to “present credible evidence of a reconfigured life.”

Rose’s lawyer Jeffrey Lenkov and daughter Fawn Rose filed a third petition for reinstatement in January.  In a letter, Lenkov wrote, “in my view, a determination must be made regarding how the phrase ‘permanently ineligible’ should be interpreted in light of the purposes and policies behind Rule 21, which are to: (1) protect the game from individuals who pose a risk to the integrity of the sport by prohibiting the participation of such individuals; and (2) create a deterrent effect that reduces the likelihood of future violations by others.”

He added, “in my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 have been served. Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.”

During his 23 year career (1963-86) Pete Rose was the Rookie of the Year in 1963, a 17 time All Star catcher, holds the record for the most hits at 4,256, played in 3,562 games and had 14,053 at bats with 15,890 plate appearances.  A three time National League batting champion, broke Ty Cobbs hits record of 4, 191, and was a MVP and World Series MVP.

Joe Jackson and his 1919 Black Sox teammates were banned form baseball after they were charged with throwing the World Series.  Ray Liotta played Jackson in the Kevin Costner movie “Field of Dreams”.

Rose and Jackson are no longer eligible for inclusion on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America for induction into the Hall of Fame; but according to Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark the players will be considered.  Clark noted, “the National Baseball Hall of Fame has always maintained that anyone removed from Baseball’s permanently ineligible list will become eligible for Hall of Fame consideration.  Major League Baseball’s decision to remove deceased individuals from the permanently ineligible list will allow for the Hall of Fame candidacy of such individuals to now be considered.”

Jackson and Rose will fall into the Classic Baseball Era category.  That committee will not meet again until December 2027.  The Classic Baseball Era considers players who have made significant contributions to the game prior to 1980.