We’ve got another classic Donald Trump move—one that’s guaranteed to fire up baseball fans, political junkies, and, well, anyone who loves a good old-fashioned controversy.
The former president announced on Friday that he plans to issue a “complete pardon” for Pete Rose, the all-time MLB hits leader who’s been banned from baseball since 1989 for—let’s call it what it is—gambling on the game.
Can Trump Even Pardon Pete Rose?
Now, for those of you thinking, can he even do that? The answer is it’s complicated. Rose was never convicted of a crime related to his betting on baseball. His legal troubles?
A 1990 guilty plea for filing false income tax returns landed him five months in prison. So, what exactly Trump’s pardon would be covering is anybody’s guess. But let’s be real—Trump isn’t just discussing the legal technicalities here.
This is about making a statement, about taking one of the most polarizing figures in baseball history and saying, Enough is enough. Let the guy back in the game.
And, of course, Trump didn’t hold back. He took to social media, saying Rose “shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on his team winning.”
According to Trump, Rose never bets against his own team, which is a distinction that matters a lot regarding the integrity of the game.
He also called out Major League Baseball for keeping Rose on the permanently ineligible list and keeping him out of the Hall of Fame—something that has been debated for decades.
The Hall of Fame Roadblock
But here’s the thing: MLB isn’t exactly in the business of issuing pardons. And it doesn’t even control who gets into the Hall of Fame. That’s up to the Baseball Writers Association of America and various committees. That was confirmed by John Down to ESPN saying, MLB is “not in the pardon business nor does it control admission to the HOF.”
The rule keeping Rose out of Cooperstown? It was put in place in 1991, and as long as he’s on that banned list, he’s not eligible. Simple as that.
That hasn’t stopped Rose from trying. He first applied for reinstatement in 1997 and has made multiple attempts since. Every time, the league has shut the door. But with Trump now jumping into the fray, could that change?
John Dowd, the man who led MLB’s investigation into Rose back in ’89 (and later served as one of Trump’s legal advisors), weighed in, making it clear that the league and the Hall of Fame are separate entities.
In other words, even if Trump issues a pardon, it doesn’t mean MLB or the Hall of Fame will change their stance.
Pete Rose’s Legacy in Baseball
Still, there’s no denying Pete Rose’s impact on the game. Over 24 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos, he racked up records that still stand today: most games played (3,562), most plate appearances (15,890), and, of course, the big one—4,256 hits, more than anyone in baseball history.
The Reds will still honor Rose next year, wearing a No. 14 patch on their uniforms in 2025.
So, will Trump’s move actually change anything for Rose? That remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure—this story isn’t going away anytime soon.
