MLB leader says Trump's support of Pete Rose contributed to decision to let bans end with death

Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred on Wednesday admitted President Donald Trump's support of the late-baseball legend Pete Rose was a factor he considered when deciding bans from the sport should end with the player's death.

The MLB lifted the ban on Rose last month, which clears the way for his induction into the sport's hall of fame. Rose was banned from the league in 1989 for betting on baseball, including on his own team, while he was a player and manager.

The star player, who died in September, is considered one of the greatest players and has been dubbed the "all-time hit king” due to his impressive record of 4,256 career hits. Fans have long pushed for Rose to be reinstated in order to recognize his incredible career, and he was pardoned by Trump.

"The president was one of a number of voices that was supportive of the idea that this was the right decision," Manfred said during a news conference. "Obviously, I have respect for the office, and the advice that he gave I paid attention to, but I had a lot of other people that were weighing in on the topic, as well."

The league ruled last month that there should be a lifetime ban on players who commit serious enough offenses rather than a permanent one, because players who have died no longer pose a threat to the integrity of the sport.

Manfred also removed the ban on “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, who was banned from the sport in 1921 with some of his teammates on the Chicago White Sox over their fixing of the 1919 World Series. He died in 1951.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.