President Donald Trump Backs Pete Rose Reinstatement, Hall Of Fame Bid
Click here to read the full article.
President Donald Trump knows that pitchers and catchers report soon. So he’s thumping the tub for one all-time great to be reinstated to Major League Baseball.
Because of the recent sign-stealing scandals involving tainted championships by the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox, a new clamor has arisen to get Rose back into baseball. He was permanently declared ineligible in August 1989 after an investigation revealed he bet on baseball while he played for and managed the Cincinnati Reds. The investigation included claims he bet on his own team, something Rose denied at first, but later admitted.
More from Deadline
The ban has kept baseball’s all-time hits leader out of the Hall of Fame and limited to rare, special occasion appearances.
Since then, Rose has tried to be reinstated numerous times, but that moment has never arrived. The tide may be turning, though, with the sign-stealing scandal and the rise of sports betting now legal in 11 states, with seven states passing laws allowing it but not yet activated. Overall, 42 states (including California) are investigating legalized sports betting
Today, President Trump gave his powerful endorsement to allowing Rose back in.
Pete Rose played Major League Baseball for 24 seasons, from 1963-1986, and had more hits, 4,256, than any other player (by a wide margin). He gambled, but only on his own team winning, and paid a decades long price. GET PETE ROSE INTO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME. It’s Time!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2020
Best of Deadline
Peacock Programming: List Of NBCUniversal Streaming Service’s Series, Films, Sports, News & More
Stan Lee's Legacy: Ranking The Hollywood Heroes Co-Created By The Marvel Comics Icon
Disney-Fox Deal: How It Ranks Among Biggest All-Time Media Mergers
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.