“Should've done it when he was alive”- Fans divided over MLB lifting lifetime ban on Pete Rose and 16 other players

Major League Baseball (MLB) had on Tuesday announced that it is ending the lifetime bans on Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson . While some fans were happy, others did not agree to the decision. Here’s how the fans reacted, where they not only questioned the decision, but also explained why the decision should’ve taken before.

MLB’s decision on Pete Rose
Pete Rose died last September at age 83, and Jackson died in 1951 at age 64. Both were banned for life because they were accused of gambling on games. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the bans were meant to protect the honesty and fairness of the sport.

Now that both men have passed away, MLB decided to officially lift the bans, though they had already been out of the game for years.

Fans react to MLB’s decision

Breaking: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred removed Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and other deceased players from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list.

Manfred ruled that MLB’s punishment of banned individuals ends upon their deaths. They are now presumably… pic.twitter.com/YkIZ34jMUu

— ESPN (@espn) May 13, 2025

A fan said:

Just disgraceful by the MLB and Rob Manfred. He should’ve been added a long time ago. Waited until after he died and just something that people do all the time now. MLB just keeps ruining itself.

— Jake Mone (@jakemone) May 13, 2025

“Just disgraceful by the MLB and Rob Manfred. He should’ve been added a long time ago. Waited until after he died and just something that people do all the time now. MLB just keeps ruining itself.”

Another fan said:

Should’ve done it while he was alive… life’s to short to put somebody in the Hall after they die over betting on your own team to win

— Phil Lip (@lip_philll) May 13, 2025

“Should’ve done it while he was alive… life’s to short to put somebody in the Hall after they die over betting on your own team to win.”

Another fan said:

Which deserves a ban from the Hall of Fame? A short time of betting on your team to win. OR using banned steroids which gave the player an unfair advantage to win? Equally bad? One deserves a ban and not the other? Using the steroids had a huge impact on baseball game…

— Bill Carson (@bill2car) May 13, 2025

“Which deserves a ban from the Hall of Fame? A short time of betting on your team to win. OR using banned steroids which gave the player an unfair advantage to win? Equally bad? One deserves a ban and not the other? Using the steroids had a huge impact on baseball game outcomes. Pete Rose betting on his team did not effect the game outcomes at all.”

Another fan reacted:

So is there no lifetime ban for betting on baseball? Is it no longer MLBs cardinal sin? These bans should remain. It makes no sense to suddenly lift them after all this time, as if the bans were wrongly given but we're only finding it out now. Also, it's ridiculous to do this…

— Nick in the D 👊 (@NickInTheD) May 13, 2025

“So is there no lifetime ban for betting on baseball? Is it no longer MLBs cardinal sin? These bans should remain. It makes no sense to suddenly lift them after all this time, as if the bans were wrongly given but we're only finding it out now. Also, it's ridiculous to do this now after Pete Rose has passed away. If you wanted to do this, do it when he's alive. Pretty stupid MLB.”

Another fan said:

Way overdue. Was Pete rose an all around great guy? Probably not but the talent was there and he was among the all time greatest players in baseball history. Should’ve been in the hall years ago

— Erick (@EKlambara) May 13, 2025

“Way overdue. Was Pete rose an all around great guy? Probably not but the talent was there and he was among the all time greatest players in baseball history. Should’ve been in the hall years ago.”


Also Read: MLB lifts lifetime bans on Pete Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and 15 other players