For over three decades, Pete Rose, one of MLB’s biggest names, sat in the darkest corner of the sport. Permanently banned, rarely spoken without any controversy, and a dark cloud loomed over his head. But this time, something happened that turned the page. In a move that has stunned many, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reinstated Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, and 15 other deceased players from the list’s ineligible list.
The decision was made after a formal request came from the Rose family after his death last year. It also came weeks after Manfred met with President Donald Trump, who urged clemency. However, the end call came from MLB, and Manfred announced it. However, since then, it’s been widely debated—is this the right decision? And why did the league do this?
Well, the speculations can be laid to rest because Manfred himself gave not one but three clear reasons behind the reinstatement.
For the first time ever, @MLB is going to partner with and invest in a women’s professional softball league — @theAUSLofficial.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng tell CBS Mornings why now was the right time to make the move that could change the future of… pic.twitter.com/nxChNRIj5Z
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 29, 2025
Speaking on CBS Mornings, Manfred first emphasizes the purpose of the ineligible list itself. “Our permanently ineligible list is effectively a ban on working in the game. There’s no reason to have a person who has passed away still on that list.” In short, a ban made to keep someone out of baseball doesn’t apply to someone who has died, right? Making Rose and the rest exempt from the list effectively.
Secondly, Manfred touched on Rose’s place in baseball history and also the inconsistency in his treatment. “Every other player, including ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson, has been considered by the Hall of Fame. I saw no reason to leave Pete Rose.” For him, Rose deserves the same consideration as the rest, despite his past. And well, Rose is a three-time World Series winner—you can’t discount his input in the game.
And third, and most importantly, Manfred pointed to the agreement that Pete Rose made in 1989. It was a voluntary settlement, not a disciplinary action. Then, Commissioner Bart Giamatti had even said that the Hall of Fame should consider Pete Rose independently of the ban. So Manfred said, “This is baseball living up to the deal they originally made.” Manfred admitted it was no easy decision, but it was a decision that was long overdue. Now Rose may finally find his way to Cooperstown.
Even today, his all-time hits record remains untouched—still, the gold standard players continue to chase.
Elly De La Cruz matches Pete Rose’s power mark
Wake up, world, because Elly De La Cruz is sprinting towards another All-Star nod, and he is making history while doing so. On Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium, the Cincinnati Reds’ shortstop delivered a two-homer performance. It not only made the crowd go crazy but also etched his name next to a franchise legend. Well, De La Cruz hit 887 feet of home runs—one in the fourth and another in the sixth. This marked his fifth career multi-home run game and second of the season. This ties him with Pete Rose for the most multi-home runs by any switch-hitter in franchise history.
But the real kicker is that De La Cruz did it in just 314 games—barely two years into his big league career! As for the exact number, his first blast soared 436 feet to the straightaway center. And the second was a 451 rocket that splashed right into the iconic Kauffman Stadium foundations. It left not just fans but even the pitchers in awe. But he didn’t stop there. Along with his tenth and 11th homers of this season, he also joined the elite company as one of only four Reds to record 10 home runs and 17 steals in the team’s first 56 games.
The other Reds who were able to do it were Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, Eric Davis, and Chris Sabo. And best of all, De La Cruz is just 22 years old and already rewriting history.
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