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 amid ongoing petition"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred recently revealed that he discussed the status of Pete Rose with former President Donald Trump during a meeting two weeks ago. Manfred mentioned this during a gathering of the Associated Press Sports Editors, where he also addressed various issues including how Trump's immigration policies might affect players from countries like Cuba and Venezuela. The conversation about Rose is particularly significant as it comes in light of a petition filed in January by attorney Jeffrey Lenkov, who is seeking to have Rose posthumously removed from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list. This petition is aimed at allowing Rose, the all-time hits leader who passed away in September, to be considered for the Hall of Fame, a privilege currently denied to anyone on that list. Manfred stated that he intends to rule on this request but emphasized that the situation is more complex than it may appear, and he has not committed to a specific timeline for his decision.
Trump has expressed his support for Rose’s reinstatement, even announcing plans for a complete pardon via social media. However, the details of what such a pardon would entail remain unclear, especially concerning Rose's past legal issues, including a tax case for which he was convicted. While Rose’s reinstatement would not automatically place him on the Hall of Fame ballot, it would allow him to be nominated, a process that requires approval from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and the Hall’s board. Manfred, who has been in regular contact with the Hall's leadership, asserted that the changing legal landscape regarding sports betting should not influence perceptions of Rose's case. He reiterated the importance of maintaining strict rules against gambling within the sport, stating that the privilege of playing in Major League Baseball comes with specific responsibilities that players must uphold.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent announcement regarding Rob Manfred's discussions about Pete Rose's reinstatement sheds light on a multifaceted issue that intersects sports, politics, and public sentiment. This development has the potential to evoke strong reactions from various segments of society, reflecting the complexities of baseball's history and its cultural implications.
Political Undertones
The meeting between Manfred and President Trump not only highlights the intersection of sports and politics but also suggests that the discussion about Rose's status could be influenced by Trump's political agenda. Trump’s comments about issuing a pardon for Rose may resonate with his base, who often appreciate narratives of redemption and second chances. This suggests that the reinstatement discussion is not solely about baseball but also about leveraging public figures to bolster political narratives.
Public Perception
The timing of this announcement might aim to shape public perception regarding the legacy of Pete Rose, a controversial figure in baseball history. By reopening discussions about his eligibility, the MLB might seek to engage fans who hold sentimental views about Rose's achievements, while also addressing the long-standing debate over his gambling scandal. This could foster a sense of nostalgia among baseball fans, potentially rekindling interest in the sport.
Potential Distractions
While the focus on Pete Rose may seem significant, it could also serve as a distraction from other pressing issues facing Major League Baseball, such as labor disputes or player health and safety. This diversion could allow stakeholders to shift attention away from more contentious matters, potentially manipulating public focus.
Reputational Impact
The publication of this news reflects on the overall image of the MLB. By associating with a polarizing figure like Trump, the league could risk alienating certain fan demographics who disapprove of Trump's policies or rhetoric. The balancing act between addressing a controversial past and navigating current political landscapes could impact the MLB's reputation.
Societal and Economic Implications
If Rose were to be reinstated, it might have broader implications for how sports handle issues of morality and ethics. A decision in favor of Rose could lead to discussions on the treatment of athletes who have made mistakes, potentially influencing how leagues approach similar issues in the future. Economically, this could revitalize interest in merchandise related to Rose, impacting sales positively.
Support Base
The narrative surrounding Rose's reinstatement might resonate more with older fans who remember his contributions to the game and are inclined toward notions of forgiveness. Conversely, younger fans who prioritize ethical conduct may view this move unfavorably, creating a divide within the fanbase.
Market Impact
In terms of market ramifications, any developments regarding Rose could affect stocks related to MLB franchises and merchandise. Teams that capitalize on nostalgia or legacy, such as those with historical ties to Rose, may see fluctuations in their stock prices based on public reaction to the reinstatement discussion.
Global Context
While this issue is primarily domestic, it reflects broader societal themes regarding redemption and accountability that resonate globally. The discussion of sports figures and their actions often transcends borders, making it relevant in the context of global sports narratives.
The overall reliability of this news hinges on its sources and the motivations behind the discussions. The framing of the story may present a biased view depending on the outlet reporting it, and the involvement of political figures like Trump adds a layer of complexity regarding the authenticity of the motivations discussed.