Pete Rose Remains Ineligible for Hall of Fame Despite Efforts from Him and Ohio Legislature

On Monday, Pete Rose, the legendary Reds player and Cincinnati native, passed away at the age of 83. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest baseball players in history, Rose’s legacy is a complex one. Despite his numerous achievements, he never received one of the sport’s highest honors: induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Rose holds the record for the most hits in Major League Baseball (4,256), as well as the highest totals for games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), and singles (3,215). However, following an investigation into his gambling activities related to baseball—an admission he made in his 2004 autobiography—he was placed on MLB’s ineligible list in August 1989, barring him from Hall of Fame consideration.

In the years since, Rose has sought reinstatement, with his most recent application submitted in 2022, but he remains ineligible.

Earlier this year, a legislative effort was introduced in Ohio, primarily sponsored by Representatives Tom Young (R-D37) and Bill Seitz (R-D30), along with several co-sponsors. The bill aimed to “urge the Commissioner of Major League Baseball to remove Peter Edward ‘Pete’ Rose from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list as soon as possible, and to encourage the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and the National Baseball Hall of Fame to include Rose on the Hall of Fame ballot.” Unfortunately, this legislation, known as H.C.R. No. 15, did not progress beyond its initial hearing.

While Rose may not be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame, he has been recognized in other significant ways. In 2016, the Cincinnati Reds inducted him into their Hall of Fame, and in 2004, he was honored in the WWE Hall of Fame after his memorable appearance at WrestleMania in 1998.