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Sport and Society for Arete</div>
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May 14, 2025</div>
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It seems that the biggest news in baseball this week is off the field. Usually, that is not a good thing. Yesterday, the Commissioner of Baseball, Rob Manfred, announced that Pete Rose and sixteen other players have been re-instated from baseball’s “permanently
ineligible” list. Among the sixteen others are several players caught up in the Black Sox scandal of 1919.</div>
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Being on this list was often referred to as a lifetime ban. Apparently, the Commissioner thought of it in these terms. He did not reinstate Rose and others but simply altered the rule governing the ban. Manfred simply removed deceased players from the permanently
ineligible list. In effect, this means that the ban was not permanent; it is only for a lifetime. He further argued that deceased players could no longer harm the game. A dubious assertion.</div>
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Just over two years ago, Manfred told the Baseball Writers Association of America, “I believe that when you bet on baseball, from Major League Baseball’s perspective, you belong on the permanently ineligible list.”</div>
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If that reasoning is correct, it should be noted that those living, like the Commissioner, can still do many things to harm the game. For many baseball fans, he has already proven his ability to harm the game. Some will argue, he has just added to the list
of his transgressions.</div>
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Others will thank the Commissioner for his action. Many fans have long felt the ban on Rose was overkill. One of those who took this position recently is the President of the United States. Was the President’s public support for Pete Rose belonging in the Hall
of Fame an important factor in Manfred’s change of heart? Some see this as likely.</div>
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One of baseball’s leading analysts, Ken Rosenthal, suggests that Manfred did not want to be harassed or embarrassed by the President on social media. Also, baseball is moving to streaming its games, and that may be a matter of interest to the government regulators.
The President, if angered by Manfred, could affect any decisions relating to streaming or any other potential anti-trust issue.</div>
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So, these are some of the public concerns, but what of the Pete Rose fans and baseball fans in general. How will they react to this decision? For Rose fans, it is a victory as they assume the Hall of Fame will follow. It may, but there are no guarantees.</div>
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For those who doubt the Commissioner’s decision, or who are not particularly fond of Pete Rose and his behavior both on and off the field, there will be criticism of the Commissioner, and they may hope that Rose will not be elected to the Hall of Fame.</div>
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I never liked the antics of Pete Rose on or off the field, but I never doubted his baseball abilities. He has the on- field qualifications for the Hall of Fame. But matters of character, and there are many, could lead to a rejection by any committee that comes
to vote on him for the Hall. Two committees will vote on the issue. The first, the Historical Overview Committee will decide which of the seventeen players affected by Manfred’s decision might be potential HOF members. These players will then be referred to
the Era Committee and Rose’s case would come before them in 2027.</div>
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On the list of the qualifications for the Hall, the Baseball Writers Association has this to say: “Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.”</div>
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The current list of members, it will be said, demonstrates that a lack of any of these qualities has not kept players out of the Hall. How likely is it that matters of integrity and character will apply in Rose’s case? Not very.</div>
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If it was up to me, and it is not, I would not vote yes on Rose. However, it seems to me that in the case of the Committees that will consider Rose and others newly taken off the ineligible list, it will be, and should be, the decisions of the committees that
have the final word. I am satisfied with the process and hope that whatever the decision may be, it will not be something determined by political figures, presidential or otherwise.</div>
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This is Dick Crepeau reminding you that you don’t have to be a good sport to be a bad loser.</div>
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Copyright 2025 by Richard C. Crepeau</div>
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