Former President Donald Trump has announced that he will issue a full pardon for the late baseball star Pete Rose. In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized Major League Baseball (MLB) for not inducting Rose into the Hall of Fame, despite his achievements in the sport.
Rose, who holds the record for most career hits in MLB history, was banned from baseball for betting on games and later served prison time for tax evasion.
Pete Rose’s Baseball Legacy
Pete Rose, nicknamed “Charlie Hustle,” was one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history. He played primarily for the Cincinnati Reds and is remembered for his relentless playing style. His major achievements include:
- 4,256 career hits, the most in MLB history.
- Winning three World Series titles.
- Earning the National League MVP Award in 1973.
- Playing in 17 All-Star Games across five different positions.
Despite these accomplishments, Rose was permanently banned from baseball in 1989 for betting on games, including those involving his own team.
Trump’s Justification for the Pardon
In his post, Trump defended Rose, emphasizing that he never bet against his own team or tried to manipulate game outcomes.
“He never betted against himself or the opposing team. He had the most hits in baseball history and won more games than any other athlete,” Trump wrote.
Trump also argued that Rose was a “much better player” than many already in the Hall of Fame and called on MLB to posthumously induct him.
Why Pete Rose Was Banned from Baseball
Pete Rose’s lifetime ban stemmed from a 1989 investigation led by MLB Commissioner Bart Giamatti.
The findings revealed that Rose regularly bet on baseball games, including those involving his own team, while he was both a player and a manager for the Cincinnati Reds. Although there was no evidence that he bet against his team, MLB viewed any form of gambling on games as a serious violation.
In addition to his baseball ban, Rose also served five months in federal prison in 1990 for tax evasion.
The Hall of Fame Controversy
Although the National Baseball Hall of Fame operates separately from MLB, it has followed the league’s stance on banned players. The Hall of Fame’s rules state that players on MLB’s ineligible list cannot be inducted. This policy has kept Rose out, despite continued debates over whether his achievements outweigh his gambling scandal.
Trump’s Pattern of Pardons
This pardon is part of a long list of high-profile pardons issued by Donald Trump. Throughout his political career, Trump has used presidential pardons to reverse controversial convictions and honor figures he believes were treated unfairly.