Some months after his passing, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred had a meeting behind closed doors with Pete’s eldest daughter, Fawn Rose. She pleaded with Manfred to reconsider her father’s suspension from the MLB Hall of Fame. Fast forward to May 13, 2025, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced a significant decision: Pete Rose, along with 16 other individuals who were on the permanently ineligible list, would be removed from it. The decision brought a renewed hope for Pete’s loyalists and when it comes to his daughter, she was moved. However, Reds announcer Marty Brennaman has a different take on Pete’s ban reversal decision.
According to him, “I’m not happy about it. I’m just trying to reconcile in my own mind why they waited as long as they did,” Brennaman said to TMZ Sports. Brennaman, who called Reds games from 1974 until he retired in 2019, added, “And then, within a matter of months after Pete’s passing in September, now they come out and they announce in grand fashion that they have lifted the suspension and made he and ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson — there may be others I’m not even aware of — eligible to be considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Pete Rose voluntarily accepted a permanent place on baseball’s ineligible list on August 24, 1989. This decision came after then-Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti reviewed a report by lawyer John M. Dowd. The report documented Rose’s betting on MLB games in 1987 while he was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, which violated MLB’s Rule 21 that prohibits betting on games one has a duty to perform in.
“I just felt that he had served his jail time, if you will, far longer than he really should’ve had to do it. And the fact that they rushed to make him eligible within a matter of months, to me, was the wrong way to go about doing business,” he added.
In fact, during the “That’s so Cincinnati” podcast, Brennaman suggested Rose’s family take a bizarre step. He demanded Pete’s family should straightaway decline all the Hall of Fame offers. In short, the Rose family should say “thanks, but no thanks” to Baseball Hall.
Brennaman truly stands by his stance because honoring Rose this late is like writing history with the wrong ink. Now, all eyes will be on Pete Rose’s family if they take Brennaman’s suggestion.
Retired manager of the Cincinnati Reds opens up bluntly over Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame storm
Another voice from the Cincinnati Reds has opened up about the whole Pete Rose’s hall of fame storm. It’s former Reds’ manager Terry Francona. He has one straight stance: “Can baseball tell its full story without Pete Rose in the Hall?
Francona had deep ties with Pete. Back in 1984, he and Francona both played for the Montreal Expos. And then just some years later, around 1987, when Pete Rose used to manage the Cincinnati Reds, Francona joined.
Francona has had the chance to view Pete Rose both as a teammate and as a leader. He embraces Pete’s legacy. While he is one of the “greatest” hitters, Pete Rose is undeniably a legend and holds the record for career hits with 4,256, surpassing even Ty Cobb.
For Francona, Pete’s case is more about redemption and legacy. He believes one’s mistakes shouldn’t overshadow his lifetime of greatness. Francona was reminded that Cooperstown is supposed to be a chronicle for the most impactful figures of this game.
Now, the Classic Baseball Era Committee will be evaluating Pete’s case in December 2027. 12 of the 16 members will need to be affirmative with Rose’s induction. Only then will he be able to earn it. If that doesn’t happen, the next opportunity sits at 2030.
What is your stance on the entire situation?
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