Rob Manfred meets with Trump at White House after president said he’d pardon Pete Rose

New York Post - Apr 18th, 2025

Rob Manfred, the MLB Commissioner, met with former President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss baseball-related issues. This meeting follows Trump's social media announcement about his intention to posthumously pardon Pete Rose, MLB’s all-time hits leader, who passed away recently. Although details of the meeting were not disclosed, it coincides with a shift in Manfred's stance regarding Rose's Hall of Fame eligibility. Previously adamant about maintaining Rose's ineligibility due to gambling on baseball, Manfred has now opened the door for reconsideration, which marks a significant pivot in MLB's stance.

The context of this development is rooted in Trump's criticism of the MLB for keeping Rose on its permanently ineligible list, which disqualifies him from Hall of Fame consideration. Trump's comments have sparked renewed debate over Rose's legacy and his potential pardon, although Rose was never convicted for gambling on baseball. The implications are significant for MLB, as it could lead to a reevaluation of the criteria for Hall of Fame eligibility, reflecting broader conversations about redemption, legacy, and the evolving values of sports organizations. This development could influence public opinion and MLB's future decisions regarding players with controversial pasts.

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The story effectively covers a timely and controversial topic involving a high-profile meeting between Rob Manfred and Donald Trump, with implications for Pete Rose's Hall of Fame eligibility. It presents a balanced view of the perspectives of Trump and Manfred, although it lacks additional viewpoints from other stakeholders. The article's readability and engagement potential are strong, but its overall impact and credibility are undermined by a significant factual inaccuracy regarding Pete Rose's status. The absence of direct citations or corroborative sources further affects the perceived reliability of the reporting. Despite these weaknesses, the story remains relevant to public interest and ongoing debates in sports governance.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that align with known events, such as the meeting between Rob Manfred and President Donald Trump at the White House and Trump's public statements about pardoning Pete Rose. However, it contains a significant inaccuracy regarding Pete Rose's status, inaccurately stating that he died at age 83. This factual error considerably affects the story's credibility. While the article accurately reflects Trump's and Manfred's public statements and positions on Rose, the incorrect information about Rose's death undermines its overall accuracy.

Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the interactions and opinions of both Rob Manfred and Donald Trump regarding Pete Rose's Hall of Fame eligibility. It presents Trump's critical stance on MLB's treatment of Rose and Manfred's past and potentially changing positions. However, the piece lacks perspectives from other stakeholders, such as MLB officials, Hall of Fame board members, or Rose's representatives, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of events and statements, with a logical flow from the meeting to the broader context of Pete Rose's Hall of Fame eligibility. The language is straightforward, and the tone is neutral, facilitating comprehension. However, the incorrect claim about Rose's death introduces confusion, detracting from the overall clarity.

Source quality

The story attributes its information to an MLB spokesperson and statements from Trump and Manfred, which are credible sources for the reported events. However, the article does not provide direct quotes or citations from these sources, limiting the ability to verify the claims independently. The lack of diverse sources or corroborative evidence from additional outlets affects the perceived reliability of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides some context for the meeting between Manfred and Trump and the surrounding controversy about Pete Rose. However, it lacks transparency regarding its sources, as it does not directly cite the MLB spokesperson or provide evidence of Trump's social media posts. Additionally, the article does not clarify the basis for its claims about Rose's death, which is a critical oversight given the inaccuracy.