“MLB should have allowed Pete Rose into the Hall of Fame” - Donald Trump takes a jibe at league for keeping the “Hit King” out of Cooperstown

Following the passing of legendary baseball player Pete Rose, former US president Donald Trump called for him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame through a tweet:

"The GREAT Pete Rose just died. He was one of the most magnificent baseball players ever to play the game. He paid the price!"

Rose, who passed away at age 83 due to heart disease, remains one of the most polarizing figures in baseball. With 4,256 hits, Rose is the all-time hits leader in MLB, and his on-field achievements are unquestionable. Nicknamed "Charlie Hustle" for his relentless playing style, he earned 17 All-Star appearances and three World Series titles with the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies.

However, Rose’s legacy is marred by his 1989 lifetime ban from baseball after it was revealed that he bet on games while managing the Reds. After years of denial, Rose finally admitted to gambling, but his lifetime ban meant that he was ineligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame since 1991.

Donald Trump has consistently pushed for Rose's induction, even during his tenure as president. His most recent statement shows how highly he regards Rose as one of the greatest players in baseball history and emphasizes the importance of seeing him immortalized alongside other legends in the Hall of Fame.

---

The long-standing debate on Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame induction has been reignited following his passing

While Rose had requested reinstatement several times, MLB commissioners consistently denied the appeals. Fans remain divided on whether Rose’s on-field success outweighs the gambling scandal, with many seeing his punishment as too harsh and others believing his actions permanently damaged his career.

While any form of gambling is cause for a lifetime ban in Major League Baseball, it is important to note that there is no evidence of him ever doing it as a player, nor is there any evidence of any game-fixing to improve the odds of his payouts.

Pete Rose’s passing has reignited the debate about whether baseball’s all-time hits leader should be honored in Cooperstown, and even a political figure like Donald Trump in the midst of a presidential campaign seems to have a say in it.

The matter has been talked about for decades, and now could be the time for MLB to reconsider their stance.