Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame Hope Reignited After MLB Lifts Lifetime Ban Posthumously
Major League Baseball has made a historic move by officially removing Pete Rose from its permanently ineligible list, alongside 16 other deceased individuals. This decision comes nearly a year after Rose’s death in September 2024 and paves the way for his long-denied eligibility for Hall of Fame induction—a dream he never saw realized in life. The emotional weight of the moment was reflected in the words of Rose’s daughter, Fawn Rose, who shared her heartfelt reaction in an interview with The Athletic.
“I wish our dad was here to share this with his family and with all the fans,” she said, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of the news.
EXCLUSIVE: The removal of Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list means he now will become eligible for Hall of Fame consideration.
Rose’s eldest daughter Fawn only wishes he was alive to see it, she tells @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/wPMSPNuJLn
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 14, 2025
The ruling follows a formal petition submitted by Rose’s family earlier in 2025, urging MLB to reconsider his lifetime ban. Commissioner Rob Manfred responded by pointing out that Rule 21, which deals with maintaining the integrity of the game, no longer applies after death. This shift marks a broader change in how MLB approaches posthumous recognition, particularly for controversial figures.
The removal from the ineligible list means that Rose could be considered for the Hall of Fame by the Classic Baseball Era Committee when it convenes in 2027. While the moment offers closure for some, for many of Rose’s supporters, it arrives too late for the man himself. Fawn Rose noted that her father had always held on to hope, believing that someday, he would be forgiven by the league and recognized for his contributions to baseball.
During his lifetime, Pete Rose remained a polarizing figure. His record-breaking playing career—most notably, the all-time hits record—was overshadowed by a gambling scandal that led to his lifetime ban in 1989. Despite appeals and public support over the years, Rose remained barred from all official baseball honors, including Hall of Fame induction.
Now, with the ban lifted posthumously, the debate reignites. Some see it as long-overdue justice; others argue the gesture is symbolic and comes too late to truly matter. But for Rose’s family and many fans, it’s a critical step toward honoring a complex, yet undeniably iconic, baseball career.