MLB Lifts Ban on Pete Rose and ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson: What It Means for the Hall of Fame
In a groundbreaking move that has sent ripples through the baseball community, Pete Rose, Joe Jackson, and several other figures from baseball’s past are now eligible for Hall of Fame consideration. This comes after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred removed them from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list. The decision has sparked a flurry of reactions and discussions among fans, historians, and analysts alike.
Hall of Fame chairwoman Jane Forbes Clark released a statement saying, “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.”
However, due to the Hall of Fame’s voting procedures, Rose and Jackson won’t be eligible for consideration until the Classic Era Baseball committee meets in December of 2027. This committee focuses on individuals who made their most significant impact before 1980. So, what does this all mean for the future of these players and the Hall of Fame itself? Let’s dive into the details.
Why Were These Players Banned?
The individuals who have been reinstated were originally banned due to accusations related to gambling on baseball. This includes throwing games, accepting bribes, or, in the case of Pete Rose, betting on baseball games. The most infamous of these cases involves Joe Jackson and his seven Chicago White Sox teammates who threw the 1919 World Series. This scandal occurred during a time when gambling was rampant in baseball.
Joe Jackson, a star of the 1910s alongside legends like Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker, has been a controversial figure. Despite his impressive .375 batting average in the 1919 World Series, historians agree that Jackson was a willing participant in the scandal and accepted money from the gambling ring. Although the White Sox players were acquitted in a 1921 criminal trial, commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned them, stating, “Regardless of the verdict of juries …”
Interestingly, if there was an innocent party among the banned players, it might have been third baseman Buck Weaver. He was banned for life for merely attending meetings where the fix was discussed, despite not taking any money.
As for Pete Rose, he was banned in 1989 by commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti for betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Rose denied these accusations for years but eventually confessed. He passed away last September at age 83.
Who Else Is Impacted?
Among others affected by this decision is Phillies owner William Cox, who was banned in 1943 for betting on games. He was forced to sell the team shortly after purchasing it. While most of the other non-White Sox players are not of major significance, Benny Kauff stands out as a star of the Federal League in 1914-15, winning the batting title both seasons. The Federal League was a short-lived attempt to challenge the National and American leagues.
When Is the Soonest Rose and Jackson Could Go into the Hall of Fame?
The Hall of Fame voting process for players not considered by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America includes two eras: the Contemporary Baseball Era (1980 to present) and the Classic Baseball Era (pre-1980). The voting schedule is as follows:
- December 2025: Player ballot for the Contemporary Era.
- December 2026: Contemporary Era ballot for managers, executives, and umpires.
- December 2027: Classic Era ballot for players, managers, executives, and umpires.
To make the ballot, Rose and Jackson must first pass an initial screening. While it’s uncertain how the screening committee will proceed, it’s possible both could make the ballot. Comparisons to players with PED allegations, like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who were included on the eight-player Contemporary Era ballot in 2023, might offer some insight.
Once the ballot is set, a 16-person committee of Hall of Fame players, executives, and historians will vote. A candidate needs 12 votes to be selected. In the most recent election, Dave Parker and Dick Allen were on the Classic Era ballot.
Which Players Have the Best HOF Cases?
Pete Rose would have been a surefire Hall of Famer had he not bet on baseball. As the all-time MLB leader with 4,256 hits, Rose won three batting titles and was the 1973 NL MVP. While his 79.6 career WAR aligns more with players like Jeff Bagwell and Brooks Robinson than all-time greats, his fame would have made him an inner-circle Hall of Famer. However, his support now is uncertain, as the committee’s former players may not back him due to the strict rule against betting on the game.
Joe Jackson, a star of the deadball era, hit .408 in 1911 and .356 in his career, ranking fourth all-time. His 62.2 WAR and 1,772 hits are low for Hall of Fame standards, but recent committee selections like Allen and Tony Oliva had fewer than 2,000 hits. Jackson’s gambling connection complicates his case.
Pitcher Eddie Cicotte, with 209 wins and 59.7 WAR, might also have a chance. He was still performing well at 36, winning 29 games in 1919 and 21 in 1920 before his ban.
For context, the top position players in career WAR who made their mark before 1980 and aren’t in the Hall of Fame include Rose, Bill Dahlen (75.3), Bobby Grich (71.0), Graig Nettles (67.6), Reggie Smith (64.6), Ken Boyer (62.8), Jackson, and Sal Bando (61.5).
Pitching candidates include Luis Tiant (65.7), Tommy John (61.6), and Wes Ferrell (60.1). John was on the recent ballot and received seven votes. Others included Steve Garvey, Boyer, Negro Leagues pitcher John Donaldson, Negro Leagues manager Vic Harris, and Tiant.
Other potential pre-1980 candidates could include Thurman Munson, Bert Campaneris, Dave Concepcion, and Stan Hack.
Originally Written by: David Schoenfield
