Rob Manfred's letter to Pete Rose's attorney: Full text of note that lifted posthumous ban
For Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, "dead" is as good as "permanent."
At least that's the reasoning he cited in removing Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list seven months after the all-time hits leader's death at the age of 83.
It was a startling end to a 36-year-ban after Rose wagered on games both as Cincinnati Reds manager and as a player; while the agreement he signed with commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti in agreeing to the lifetime ban stipulated Rose did not admit to betting on baseball, he ultimately copped to placing wagers on the Reds in a 2004 biography.
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In the face of pressure to reinstate Rose from President Donald Trump, Manfred ended the ban, essentially asserting Rose posed no threat to the game or further violations of Rule 21 - the hallowed ban on gambling - in the afterlife.
In a letter to Rose's attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov released by MLB, Manfred wrote that "a determination must be made regarding how the phrase ‘permanently ineligible’ should be interpreted in light of the purposes and policies behind Rule 21, which are to: (1) protect the game from individuals who pose a risk to the integrity of the sport by prohibiting the participation of such individuals; and (2) create a deterrent effect that reduces the likelihood of future violations by others.
"In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 have been served. Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list."
Lenkov met with Manfred in January met in the latest bid to restore Rose's status in the game; the reinstatement effort gained considerable steam when Trump urged Rose be eligible for the Hall of Fame in a Feb. 28 social media post.
Here's the full text of Manfred's letter to Lenkov announcing Rose's return:
"Dear Mr. Lenkov:
"I write in response to your letter on behalf of the Rose family on January 8, 2025, and the request contained therein that Pete Rose be posthumously removed from the permanently ineligible list. As you know, I denied a prior request for reinstatement from Mr. Rose in 2015. In my view, the only salient fact that has changed since that decision is that Mr. Rose has recently passed away.
"The question of whether an individual should remain on the permanently ineligible list after his death has never been formally addressed by Major League Baseball. Indeed, Mr. Rose is the first person banned by a Commissioner other than Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list. As such, it is incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision regarding this unprecedented issue in the modern era.
"The phrase "lifetime ban" has often been used to describe the punishment agreed to by Mr. Rose and the Office of the Commissioner; however, the use of that phrase is not accurate. In fact, the 1989 agreement between Mr. Rose and the Office of the Commissioner tracks the actual language of Rule 21 and Mr. Rose was placed on the "permanently ineligible" list referenced in Rule 21.
'The best interests of Baseball'
"In my view, a determination must be made regarding how the phrase "permanently ineligible" should be interpreted in light of the purposes and policies behind Rule 21. In my decision on Mr. Rose's last request for reinstatement, I set forth the following standard for deciding that request: 'I, as Commissioner of Baseball, must determine the risk that Mr. Rose will commit a violation of MLB's rules (most significantly Rule 21) following his reinstatement that may impact the integrity of the game.' I went on to say: 'While the Commissioner is afforded certain discretion in considering an application under Major League Rule 15(d) for reinstatement from the permanently ineligible list, the Commissioner must exercise that discretion with great care, bearing in mind the intended deterrent effect for the mandatorypenalty for a violation of Rule 21 and the best interests of Baseball.'
"Taken together, these comments make clear that penalties imposed under Rule 21 are intended to: (1) protect the game from individuals who pose a risk to the integrity of the sport by prohibiting the participation of such individuals; and (2) create a deterrent effect that reduces the likelihood of future violations by others. In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 have been served. Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.
'My decision is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti'
"While it is my preference not to disturb decisions made by prior Commissioners, Mr. Rose was not placed on the permanently ineligible list by Commissioner action but rather as the result of a 1989 settlement of potential litigation with the Commissioner's Office. My decision today is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti's expectations of that agreement. In the press conference announcing the settlement with Mr. Rose, Commissioner Giamatti answered a question about the effect of the settlement on Mr. Rose's potential election to the Hall of Fame:
"Giamatti: 'Let me- I'm glad you - I wondered when I'd be asked about the Hall of Fame. Let me say this. This episode has been about, in many ways, has been about taking responsibility, and taking responsibility for one's own acts. I know I need not point out to the Baseball Writers of America that it is their responsibility who decides who goes into the Hall of Fame. It is not mine. You have the authority, and you have the responsibility. And you will make your own individual judgments. And when they are tallied by Mr. Lang, that's, will be it. I have never, as League President or Commissioner, and would never, in this or any other instance, express an opinion about the eligibility, viability or appropriateness of any candidate for the Hall of Fame. It is entirely in your - now, you have a responsibility, which I, of course, as a devoted reader of all of you, will look forward to listening and watching your debates on the relationship of life to art, which you will all have to work out for yourselves.'"
'That decision lies with the Hall of Fame'
"Commissioner Giamatti's comments were completely reasonable given that, at the time, the Hall of Fame did not have a rule barring people on the permanently ineligible list from Hall of Fame consideration. In fact, Shoeless Joe Jackson was afforded the opportunity to be voted upon in 1936 and again in 1946.
"In closing, I want to emphasize that it is not part of my responsibility or authority to express any view concerning Mr. Rose's consideration by or possible election to the Hall of Fame. I agree with Commissioner Giamatti that responsibility for that decision lies with the Hall of Fame.
"Sincerely,
Robert D. Manfred Jr."