Say It’s So, Joe: MLB Rescinds Bans On Pete Rose, ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson

By Barry Janoff

May 13, 2025: MLB today addressed one of baseball’s persistent and among its most controversial issues: the permanent ban of such players as Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.

According to MLB, “Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLB’s policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual.”

Manfred's decision ends a ban that Rose accepted from then-commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti in August 1989, based on a MLB investigation that concluded Rose had bet on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds.

Jackson was one of eight players banned from playing baseball for life by then commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis in 1921 for their alleged roles in fixing the 1919 World Series.

Rose passed away in September 2024 at the age of 83.

Jackson died in 1951 at the age of 64.

The decision opens the door for both men to be considered for and potentially admitted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, over which MLB itself has no control.

The Hall said the earliest it might be addressed is December 2027.

Although the situation has been a part of baseball for decades, according to MLB, “This issue has never been formally addressed by Major League Baseball, but an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision on this unprecedented issue in the modern era as Mr. Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list.”

Manfred's decision comes after a petition filed by California attorney Jeffrey Lenkov, who represented Rose prior to his death, according to MLB.

Bob Castellini, principal owner and managing partner of the Cincinnati Reds, said via the team, "On behalf of the Reds and our generations of loyal fans, we are thankful for the decision of Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball regarding the removal of Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list.

"Pete is one of the greatest players in baseball history, and Reds Country will continue to celebrate him as we always have.

"We are especially happy for the Rose family to receive this news and what this decision could mean for them and all of Pete’s fans."

Rose played for the Reds from 1963-78 and 1984-86, winning two World Series (1975-76) and managed them from 1984-89.

He played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1979-83, winning a World Series in 1980.

The team as part of its promotional schedule had already planned a “Celebrate Pete Rose Night’” May 14, including a replica Rose Reds No. 14 jersey giveaway. Reds Hall of Famers George Foster, Ken Griffey Sr., Eric Davis and Barry Larkin will share stories and memories of Pete Rose.

On Nov. 10, 2024, the family of Pete Rose hosted a 14-hour visitation at Great American Ball Park. The team said “thousands of Reds fans came through the gates to pay their respects and say goodbye to the 'Hit King,' with Pete’s daughter Fawn among the family members greeting every visitor.”

Rose and Jackson are the most prominent players affected by this decision, but other players in a similar situation.

According to MLB, “To establish clarity for the administration of the Major League Rules, the decision in this matter shall apply to individuals in the past or future who are posthumously on the permanently ineligible list.

“There are 17 deceased individuals disciplined since the founding of the Commissioner’s Office impacted by today’s announcement, including: Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver and Lefty Williams; Joe Gedeon; Gene Paulette; Benny Kauff; Lee Magee; Phil Douglas; Cozy Dolan; Jimmy O’Connell; William Cox; and Pete Rose.”

Jane Forbes Clark, Hall of Fame  chairperson, said via the Hall after Manfred’s decision, “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.

“The Historical Overview Committee will develop the ballot of eight names for the Classic Baseball Era Committee – which evaluates candidates who made their greatest impact on the game prior to 1980 — to vote on when it meets next in December 2027.”

In a letter to Lenkov, Manfred 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

“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.”

According to Manfred, “While it is my preference not to disturb decisions made by prior Commissioners, Mr. Rose was not placed on the permanently ineligible list by Commissioner action but rather as the result of a 1989 settlement of potential litigation with the Commissioner's Office. My decision today is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti’s expectations of that agreement.

“Commissioner Giamatti’s comments were completely reasonable given that, at the time, the Hall of Fame did not have a rule barring people on the permanently ineligible list from Hall of Fame consideration. In fact, Shoeless Joe Jackson was afforded the opportunity to be voted upon in 1936 and again in 1946.”

Rose agreed to be placed on the permanently ineligible list in 1989.

In 1991, the Hall of Fame ruled that those on the permanently ineligible list were not eligible for election into the Hall. Rose has never appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot. 

Despite being acquitted of criminal conspiracy to fix the 1919 World Series, Jackson was one of eight players who in 1921 received a lifetime ban from baseball by Landis.

Jackson has since become a part of baseball, literary and Hollywood lore.

Eight Men Out, the 1988 film directed by John Sayles, is based on the Eliot Asinof book that details the 1919 World Series.

The 1989 film, Field of Dreams, based on Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella, stars Ray Liotta as Jackson and Kevn Costner as an Iowa farmer who builds a ballfield on his corn farm so that Jackson and his banned teammates can play baseball again.

The phrase "Say it ain't so, Joe" was said to have been asked by fans to Jackson during the “Black Sox” trial, wanting him to deny the accusations.

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