Rob Manfred discusses Pete Rose with Donald Trump, confirms he will rule on reinstatement

Apnews - Apr 28th, 2025

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is considering a petition to remove Pete Rose from MLB's permanently ineligible list following discussions with President Donald Trump. Rose, who passed away in September, was banned for placing bets on baseball games, including those involving his own team. Trump has expressed intentions to pardon Rose, reigniting debate over Rose's reinstatement and potential Hall of Fame eligibility. Manfred discussed this matter and other issues, such as immigration policies affecting foreign players, during a recent meeting with Trump.

The petition for Rose's reinstatement, filed by lawyer Jeffrey Lenkov, aims to allow Rose to be considered for the Hall of Fame, as current rules prevent ineligible players from being nominated. Manfred has not committed to a timeline for his decision but emphasized he will not delay the ruling. This case highlights the ongoing tension between MLB's gambling policies and the evolving legal landscape of sports betting, while also underscoring MLB's broader concerns regarding immigration policies that impact its diverse player base.

Donald Trump Mlb Immigration Policies Rob Manfred Pete Rose Sports Betting Hall Of Fame

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a generally accurate and timely account of the discussions surrounding Pete Rose's potential reinstatement and the involvement of President Trump. It effectively utilizes authoritative sources like Rob Manfred and Donald Trump to support its claims. However, the article could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and more detailed analysis of the legal and ethical implications of Rose's reinstatement. While the story is clear and engaging for those interested in baseball and sports ethics, its impact is somewhat limited by a lack of depth in exploring the controversies and broader implications of the topic.

Accuracy

The story is largely accurate but contains some areas that require further verification. The claim that Commissioner Manfred discussed Pete Rose with President Trump is confirmed by Manfred's statements, but the details of their conversation are not fully disclosed. The story accurately reports Trump's intention to pardon Rose, though it lacks clarity on the scope of this pardon, particularly regarding its impact on Rose's MLB ban. The story correctly outlines the process for reinstatement and the Hall of Fame eligibility, aligning with established MLB rules. However, the article would benefit from additional context about the implications of a presidential pardon on MLB's internal processes.

Balance

The article provides a reasonable balance of perspectives, primarily focusing on the viewpoints of Rob Manfred and Donald Trump. However, it lacks input from other stakeholders, such as MLB officials, historians, or Rose's family, which could provide a more rounded view. The story leans slightly towards the procedural aspects of reinstatement and Trump's involvement, potentially underrepresenting the broader implications of Rose's potential reinstatement on MLB's integrity policies.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information. It effectively outlines the main points, such as the discussion between Manfred and Trump and the potential reinstatement of Pete Rose. However, the inclusion of technical details about MLB's reinstatement process and the legal aspects of a presidential pardon could be better explained to enhance reader comprehension.

Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including direct quotes from Rob Manfred and social media posts from Donald Trump. These sources are authoritative and relevant to the topic. However, the article could enhance its credibility by including insights from other MLB officials or legal experts to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the reinstatement process and its potential consequences.

Transparency

The article provides some transparency by attributing statements to specific individuals like Manfred and Trump. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology used to verify claims, particularly regarding the implications of a presidential pardon. The article could improve transparency by clarifying the basis for certain claims and providing more context about the legal and procedural aspects of MLB's reinstatement process.