• MLB lifted the lifetime bans on Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, making them Hall of Fame eligible.
• The decision came after a policy change that states bans expire upon an individual's death.
• Rose is baseball's all-time hits leader, with 4,256 hits during his career.
• The earliest either player could be inducted is through the Classic Baseball Era Committee in 2028.
• Supporters, including Donald Trump, have advocated for Rose's reinstatement and posthumous pardon.

Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the reinstatement of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson from the sport's permanently ineligible list, making them eligible for the Hall of Fame posthumously. This significant policy shift follows Rose's death in September 2024 and is aimed at redefining the impact of lifetime bans after an individual has passed away, as outlined in Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.

The reinstatement of Rose, known as "Charlie Hustle," and Jackson reflects a historic change in MLB policy, which now states that permanent ineligibility ends with the passing of the disciplined individual. This decision aligns with MLB’s intent to protect its integrity while considering that deceased individuals can no longer compromise the sport, according to statements in NPR and ABC News.

Both players have had tumultuous histories with the league; Rose received a lifetime ban for gambling on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds from 1985 to 1987. He is the all-time hits leader with 4,256 hits, while Jackson, involved in the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal, had a career batting average of .356, as noted by NPR and HuffPost.

The Hall of Fame's current rules stipulate that the earliest either Rose or Jackson could be considered for induction would be in 2028, during a meeting of the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which evaluates players whose contributions were before 1980. This point was highlighted in various discussions by HuffPost and CBS News.

Advocacy for Rose's reinstatement has included public support from figures like former President Donald Trump, who stated his intention to pardon Rose posthumously. This engagement is viewed as having potentially influenced the MLB's recent decisions regarding Rose's status, according to statements in Reuters and CBS News.

Despite the reinstatement, sentiments about Rose remain divided among fans and analysts. Some believe that allowing known offenders into the Hall of Fame contradicts the values the organization represents, a sentiment echoed by feedback on social media and supported by portions of the baseball community, as reported by CBS News and ABC News.