The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library issued a statement on May 13, 2025, announcing Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred’s decision that removes ‘Shoeless’ Jackson, Pete Rose, and 15 others from Major League Baseball’s ineligible list.

“The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum celebrates the historic decision today!” read the statement. “The Museum Board is thrilled to share the monumental news that Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has officially removed Shoeless Joe Jackson from MLB’s Ineligible List. This unprecedented decision marks a long-awaited recognition of Jackson’s legacy and opens the door for his eligibility for consideration for the National Baseball Hall of Fame.”

A 1991 policy decision by the National Baseball Hall of Fame had made it impossible for anyone on Major League Baseball’s ineligible list to be considered for induction into the Hall of Fame.

The May 13, 2025 decision by Commissioner Manfred came about following an application filed by the family of Cincinnati Reds Manager and former player Pete Rose, who passed away on September 30, 2024 and who had been banned from Major League Baseball in August of 1989 by then Commissioner Bart Giamatti, due to allegations of betting on baseball games. Current Commissioner Manfred stated on May 13, 2025 that a lifetime ban should cease upon the death of the individual.

The news release issued by the MLB Office of the Commissioner on May 13 states, in part:

“Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. today issued a policy decision regarding the status of individuals who have passed away while on the permanently ineligible list. This issue has never been formally addressed by Major League Baseball, but an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision on this unprecedented issue in the modern era as Mr. Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list. Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLB’s policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual.

“In a letter to Jeffrey M. Lenkov, the attorney for Mr. Rose, Commissioner Manfred wrote, ‘In my view, a determination must be made regarding how the phrase ‘permanently ineligible’ should be interpreted in light of the purposes and policies behind Rule 21, which are to: (1) protect the game from individuals who pose a risk to the integrity of the sport by prohibiting the participation of such individuals; and (2) create a deterrent effect that reduces the likelihood of future violations by others. In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 have been served. Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.’

“Commissioner Manfred further wrote, ‘While it is my preference not to disturb decisions made by prior Commissioners, Mr. Rose was not placed on the permanently ineligible list by Commissioner action but rather as the result of a 1989 settlement of potential litigation with the Commissioner’s Office. My decision today is consistent with Commissioner Giamatti’s expectations of that agreement.'”

The news release concludes: “To establish clarity for the administration of the Major League Rules, the decision in this matter shall apply to individuals in the past or future who are posthumously on the permanently ineligible list. There are 17 deceased individuals disciplined since the founding of the Commissioner’s Office impacted by today’s announcement, including Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver and Lefty Williams; Joe Gedeon; Gene Paulette; Benny Kauff; Lee Magee; Phil Douglas; Cozy Dolan; Jimmy O’Connell; William Cox; and Pete Rose.”