Commissioner Rob Manfred Denies Pete Rose’s Reinstatement

By Francisco Romero

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced today that he has denied Pete Rose’s petition to be reinstated.

When Manfred took over as commissioner, Rose hoped that he would lift the ban imposed on him in 1989.

Rose was placed in Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list for betting on baseball (violating Major League Rule 21).

According to the commissioner’s office release, Mr. Rose was informed both verbally and in writing about the decision made by Mr. Manfred.

As it stands now, the player with the most hits in Major League Baseball will continue to be kept out of the Baseball Hall of fame (4,256 hits).

In the report released Monday, Mr. Manfred stated that he met with Rose on September 24^th, 2015.

“In short, Mr. Rose has not presented credible evidence of a reconfigured life either by an honest acceptance by him of his wrongdoing,” stated commissioner Manfred in his written decision. “Absent such credible evidence, allowing him to work in the game presents an unacceptable risk of a future violation by him of Rule 21, and thus to the integrity of our sport. I, therefore must reject Mr. Rose’s petition for reinstatement.”

Although the petition for reinstatement was denied, commissioner Manfred will allow Pete Rose to participate in some baseball events.

“Notwithstanding this conclusion, I respect Mr. Rose’s accomplishments as a player and, as a result, I will continue to allow him to participate in ceremonial activities that present no threat to the integrity of the game, provided that the activities are approved by me in advanced,” wrote commissioner Manfred.

In Manfred’s written statement he addressed the issue of the Pete Rose’s eligibility to be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“It is not part of my authority or responsibility to here to make any determination concerning Mr. Rose’s eligibility as a candidate for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame,” commissioner Manfred wrote. “Any debate over Mr. Rose’s eligibility for the Hall of Fame is one that must take place in a different forum.”

Major League Baseball does not run the National Baseball Hall of Fame.