Trump to pardon MLB legend Pete Rose, calls for posthumous induction into Hall of Fame

Rose, who holds Major League Baseball’s all-time record for career hits, passed away last year. Despite his accomplishments, he was never inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame due to a lifetime ban stemming from his gambling on baseball games.

"Major League Baseball didn’t have the courage or decency to put the late, great, Pete Rose, also known as ‘Charlie Hustle,’ into the Baseball Hall of fame. Now he is dead, will never experience the thrill of being selected, even though he was a FAR BETTER PLAYER than most of those who made it, and can only be named posthumously. WHAT A SHAME!" Trump posted.

Trump went on to declare his intent to issue a pardon: "Over the next few weeks I will be signing a complete PARDON of Pete Rose, who shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on HIS TEAM WINNING. He never betted against himself, or the other team. He had the most hits, by far, in baseball history, and won more games than anyone in sports history. Baseball, which is dying all over the place, should get off its fat, lazy a--, and elect Pete Rose, even though far too late, into the Baseball Hall of Fame!"

Trump did not specify what the pardon would cover. Rose served five months in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion in 1990, but his gambling-related ban from baseball was imposed by MLB, not the federal government.

Rose remains ineligible for the Hall of Fame as the Baseball Hall of Fame excludes consideration of players on the permanent ban list, and MLB has never lifted his ban. Rose has applied for reinstatement multiple times, particularly in recent years as legalized sports betting has expanded nationwide.

However, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly denied those requests and has directed discussions regarding Rose and the Hall of Fame to the Veteran’s Committee, according to Fox News.

Despite the ban, Rose has been inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, having played 19 seasons with the team and later serving as a manager. A three-time World Series champion, he holds MLB records for career hits, games played, at-bats, and singles.