For decades, the name Pete Rose sparked as much debate as it did admiration. A legendary hitter with a Hall of Fame resume, Rose had remained a baseball outcast. His lifetime ban due to gambling violations held firm through all these years. Despite waves of public support and repeated petitions for his reinstatement, MLB never budged. Well, that is, until now.

As you already know, MLB recently made Rose eligible once again, opening the door to honors long denied. But the announcement didn’t come without a stir. Questions are raised about whether the POTUS, Donald Trump, had any role here. So, as speculation swirled, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred finally broke his silence, offering a definitive explanation for one of the most controversial decisions in modern baseball history.

“The President was one of a number of voices that were supportive of the idea that this was the right decision,” Manfred said at MLB’s headquarters. What does that mean? He acknowledged that Trump’s recent comments influenced his long-delayed decision to lift Rose’s lifetime ban. Remember Mandfred’s visit to the White House just days before his historic decision? That’s possibly when it might have happened. Trump had no formal authority over the league’s internal decisions, but recently, his declaration of issuing a pardon for Rose brought renewed public pressure and political spotlight to the issue.

You will speed up your decision if the POTUS asks you to do so. Hence, Trump’s statement may have helped tip the conversation in Rose’s favor, at least enough for Manfred to finally act. And the result: Pete Rose is officially off the ineligible list and is now eligible for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. Yes, posthumously.

Well, Trump has long stood in Pete Rose’s corner, vocally backing the all-time hits leader’s quest for reinstatement into MLB. For starters, back in 2015, Trump publicly criticized MLB for turning down Rose’s appeal. But after being elected as the president, his support took on a louder tone, and surprisingly, a more consequential one.

Over 24 remarkable big-league seasons, Rose amassed an unmatched 4,256 hits. Now that’s an iconic number etched into the sport’s history. Yet for all his on-field greatness, Rose spent his post-retirement life shut out from the game he helped define. While we are not sure if his name can be in Cooperstown, a legend should be recognized. It would have been better if he were still alive. But hey, it’s better late than never.

Rose has a HOF-esque figure

Do you believe that Pete Rose deserves a place in the Hall of Fame? We hope so, because no player’s accomplishments can match the sheer volume and consistency of his on-field success. With 4,256 career hits, more than any player in Major League history, Rose’s legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game is unquestionable. He was a 17-time All-Star, won three World Series titles, and played five different positions, showcasing a level of versatility and dedication that defined his era.

Yes, he took a nosedive by betting on baseball games, including those involving his team. But guess what, modern baseball has now fully embraced gambling. You can see betting partnerships with advertisements in the stadiums. So, what once led to Rose’s ban is now part of MLB’s commercial fabric.

Moreover, Rose will not be the first tainted name who could be in Cooperstown. Other controversial figures have also made it there. Stars like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, linked to steroid use, were given a chance in ballot. Rose, in contrast, was barred from even appearing on the ballot.

So, Pete Rose is eligible for the HOF. Considering his contribution to the game, he deserves a posthumous place in baseball history. One of the last legends still deprived of recognition.