Is Pete Rose Finally Eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025?

By Oliver Wiener June 17, 2025 09:34

Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader and one of the most iconic figures in the sport’s history, is finally eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame but not until 2027 at the earliest. This milestone follows Major League Baseball’s landmark decision in 2025 to lift the lifetime ban that had barred Rose from the game since 1989 due to gambling violations. However, while his reinstatement opens the door to Hall of Fame consideration, the path to Cooperstown remains complex and uncertain.

The Ban Lifted, But Eligibility Delayed

On May 13, 2025, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred officially removed Pete Rose from the league’s permanently ineligible list, a move that also affected other banned players like “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. Manfred explained the rationale in a letter to Rose’s family attorney: “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.” Rose, who passed away in September 2024, thus became eligible for Hall of Fame induction posthumously.

However, due to Hall of Fame voting procedures, Rose will not appear on the standard Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) ballot. Instead, his candidacy will be evaluated by the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which considers players whose greatest impact came before 1980. This committee is scheduled to meet in December 2027, with the earliest possible induction occurring in 2028.

Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame Case

Rose’s credentials are nearly unparalleled. He retired as MLB’s all-time hits leader with 4,256 hits, was a 17-time All-Star, the 1973 National League MVP, and a three-time batting champion. He also won two Gold Gloves and was a key member of the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine,” contributing to three World Series titles.

Despite these accolades, Rose’s gambling on baseball games while managing and playing for the Reds led to his banishment. He initially denied betting on baseball but later admitted to it in his 2004 autobiography, violating MLB’s Rule 21, which prohibits gambling on the sport.

What Comes Next?

Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark confirmed that the Historical Overview Committee will compile a ballot of candidates, including Rose, for the Classic Baseball Era Committee’s vote in December 2027. To be inducted, Rose will need to secure at least 12 out of 16 votes from committee members.

Barry Larkin, a Reds legend and Hall of Famer, expressed support for Rose’s potential induction: “It would have been super amazing to be able to share his enshrinement with him… He’s a guy I grew up idolizing and trying to be like. I feel like it would be a wonderful thing for Cincinnati as a whole and all of Reds land”.

The Controversy Remains

While MLB’s decision to reinstate Rose ends decades of exclusion, the Hall of Fame vote itself remains a subject of debate. Some argue that Rose’s gambling violated the integrity of the game and should permanently bar him from Cooperstown. Others contend that his on-field achievements warrant recognition despite his off-field transgressions.

As ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. noted, “Reinstatement doesn’t ensure enshrinement.” The Hall’s voting committees have historically been cautious with controversial candidates, and Rose’s case will test how the sport balances legacy with ethics.

Pete Rose’s removal from MLB’s permanently ineligible list in 2025 marks a historic turning point, making him eligible for Hall of Fame induction for the first time since his ban 36 years ago. However, fans and historians must wait until at least December 2027 to see if the Classic Baseball Era Committee will grant him a place among baseball’s immortals. Whether Rose’s unparalleled achievements on the diamond will ultimately outweigh his gambling scandal remains one of the sport’s most compelling questions.