Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he discussed Pete Rose with President Donald Trump at a meeting two weeks ago and he plans to rule on a request to end the sport’s permanent ban of the career hits leader, who died in September. Speaking Monday at a meeting of the Associated Press Sports Editors, Manfred said he and Trump have discussed several issues, including Manfred’s concerns over how Trump’s immigration policies could impact players from Cuba, Venezuela and other foreign countries. Manfred is considering a petition to have Rose posthumously removed from MLB’s permanently ineligible list. The petition was filed in January by Jeffrey Lenkov, a Southern California lawyer who represented Rose prior to the 17-time All-Star’s death at age 83. “I met with President Trump two weeks ago, I guess now, and one of the topics was Pete Rose, but I’m not going beyond that,” Manfred said. “He’s said what he said publicly, I’m not going beyond that in terms of what the back and forth was.” Trump posted on social media Feb. 28 that he plans to issue “a complete PARDON of Pete Rose.” Trump posted on Truth Social that Rose “shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on HIS TEAM WINNING.” It’s unclear what a presidential pardon might include — Trump did not specifically mention a tax case in which Rose pleaded guilty in 1990 to two counts of filing false tax returns and served a five-month prison sentence. The president said he would sign a pardon for Rose “over the next few weeks” but has not addressed the matter since. Rose had 4,256 hits and also holds records for games (3,562) and plate appearances (15,890). He was the 1973 National League MVP and played on three World Series winners. An investigation for MLB by lawyer John M. Dowd found Rose placed numerous bets on the Cincinnati Reds to win from 1985-87 while playing for and managing the team. Rose agreed with MLB on a permanent ban in 1989. Lenkov is seeking Rose’s reinstatement so that he can be considered for the Hall of Fame. Under a rule adopted by the Hall’s board of directors in 1991, anyone on the permanently ineligible list can’t be considered for election to the Hall. Rose applied for reinstatement in 1997 and met with Commissioner Bud Selig in November 2002, but Selig never ruled on Rose’s request. Manfred in 2015 denied Rose’s application for reinstatement. Manfred said reinstating Rose now was “a little more complicated than it might appear on the outside” and did not commit to a timeline except that “I want to get it done promptly as soon as we get the work done.” “I’m not going to give this the pocket veto,” he said. “I will in fact issue a ruling.” Rose’s reinstatement doesn’t mean he would automatically appear on a Hall of Fame ballot. He would first have to be nominated by the Hall’s Historical Overview Committee, which is picked by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and approved by the Hall’s board. Manfred is an ex-officio member of that board and says he has been in regular contact with chairman Jane Forbes Clark. “I mean, believe me, a lot of Hall of Fame dialogue on this one,” Manfred said. If reinstated, Rose potentially would be eligible for consideration to be placed on a ballot to be considered by the 16-member Classic Baseball Era committee in December 2027. Manfred added he doesn’t think baseball’s current ties to legal sports betting should color views on Rose’s case. “There is and always has been a clear demarcation between what Rob Manfred, ordinary citizen, can do on the one hand, and what someone who has the privilege to play or work in Major League Baseball can do on the other in respect to gambling,” he said. “The fact that the law changed, and we sell data and/or sponsorships, which is essentially all we do, to sports betting enterprises, I don’t think changes that. It’s a privilege to play Major League Baseball. As with every privilege, there comes responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is that they not bet on the game.” Manfred did not go into details on his discussion with Trump over foreign-born players other than to say he expressed worry. “Given the number of foreign-born players we have, we’re always concerned about ingress and egress,” Manfred said. “We have had dialogue with the administration about this topic. And, you know, they’re very interested in sports. They understand the unique need to be able to go back and forth, and I’m going to leave it at that.”
Rob Manfred says he discussed Pete Rose’s status with Donald Trump and will rule on reinstatement
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Rob Manfred Discusses Pete Rose's Reinstatement with Donald Trump"
CNN
7.6
TruthLens AI Summary
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred recently revealed that he discussed the reinstatement of Pete Rose with former President Donald Trump during a meeting two weeks ago. Rose, who passed away in September, holds the record for the most career hits in Major League Baseball history but has been permanently banned since 1989 due to gambling on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. Manfred indicated that he is currently considering a petition filed by attorney Jeffrey Lenkov, who sought to have Rose's name removed from the ineligible list. During the meeting, Trump expressed support for Rose, mentioning on social media that he would issue a complete pardon for the former player, although the specifics of such a pardon remain unclear. Manfred emphasized that while he is committed to making a ruling on Rose's reinstatement, the process is more complex than it might seem at first glance, and he refrained from providing a specific timeline for his decision.
In addition to discussing Rose, Manfred addressed concerns regarding the impact of Trump’s immigration policies on foreign-born players in MLB, particularly those from countries like Cuba and Venezuela. He expressed that he has been in dialogue with the administration about these issues, highlighting the importance of maintaining the ability for players to travel back and forth. If Rose were to be reinstated, he would still need to be nominated for the Hall of Fame, as individuals on the permanently ineligible list cannot be considered for election. Manfred noted that reinstating Rose would not automatically place him on the Hall of Fame ballot, as he would first need to be nominated by the Hall’s Historical Overview Committee. Despite the changing landscape of legal sports betting, Manfred maintained that gambling remains a serious issue for players, underlining the responsibilities that come with the privilege of playing in Major League Baseball. He assured that he intends to issue a ruling on Rose’s reinstatement without delay, emphasizing that he would not let the matter linger unaddressed.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article centers on the discussions between MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and former President Donald Trump regarding the reinstatement of Pete Rose, a baseball legend who was permanently banned from the sport due to gambling. The timing of this conversation, alongside Trump's indication of a potential presidential pardon for Rose, raises questions about the motivations behind this news and its implications for various stakeholders.
Intended Purpose of the Article
The announcement serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it brings Pete Rose back into the public discourse, perhaps aiming to mobilize support for his reinstatement. Secondly, it highlights the connection between sports, politics, and public sentiment, suggesting that influential figures like Trump may still have a role in determining the fates of sports personalities. By intertwining Rose's legacy with political discussions, the article may seek to evoke nostalgia and sympathy from baseball fans and the general public.
Public Perception and Sentiment
The article likely aims to generate a sense of intrigue and hope among baseball fans who have long supported Rose. By discussing the possibility of reinstatement and a pardon, it appeals to sentiments of redemption and justice. This could be particularly relevant for fans who view Rose's ban as overly punitive, fostering a sense of community among those who believe in second chances.
Possible Omissions or Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the discussions about Rose, it does not delve into the broader implications of reinstating someone with a controversial past, especially in light of current MLB regulations and the integrity of the game. This omission raises questions about whether there are underlying motives, such as garnering political support for MLB from Trump's base, or distracting the public from other issues within the sport or society at large.
Manipulative Elements
The language used in the article is notably careful, avoiding overly emotional or sensational tones but still framing the discussion in a way that elicits sympathy for Rose. The mention of Trump's statements could also be seen as an attempt to leverage his influence for a cause that resonates with a specific demographic, thus hinting at potential manipulation of public sentiment.
Connection to Other News
This article connects to broader narratives in sports and politics, especially regarding how athletes' lives can become entangled with political figures. It aligns with other discussions around athlete activism and the relationship between sports and social justice, although it takes a different angle by focusing on redemption rather than activism.
Impact on Society and Economy
The reinstatement of Pete Rose could have various repercussions. It could reignite debates about gambling in sports, particularly as the industry grows. This might influence how leagues regulate player behavior and could impact fan engagement and attendance. From a political standpoint, aligning with Trump might affect MLB’s public image, potentially swaying fans' loyalty based on their political views.
Target Audience
The article appears to target baseball fans, particularly those who have a nostalgic view of Rose's career. It may also appeal to those interested in the intersection of sports and politics, as well as individuals who advocate for second chances in society.
Market Implications
Although this news may not have immediate impacts on stock markets or specific sports franchises, it could influence related sectors, such as sports merchandise and media rights, as public interest in baseball grows with discussions around Rose. Furthermore, any developments regarding Rose's status could affect MLB's brand and marketplace dynamics.
Geopolitical Context
While the article primarily focuses on a domestic issue within sports, it reflects the broader societal context where sports figures are often used to highlight political narratives. This is relevant today as sports continue to be a platform for broader social discussions.
Use of AI in News Reporting
There is no direct evidence in the article of AI-generated content, but the structured presentation and focus on specific quotes suggest a possible use of AI tools for summarization or organization. If AI were involved, it might have influenced the framing of the narrative to emphasize the political dimensions over the ethical implications of Rose's past actions.
In conclusion, the article presents a blend of nostalgia, political maneuvering, and community sentiment surrounding Pete Rose. Its reliability hinges on the careful framing of information and the potential motivations behind the discussions it highlights.