The long awaited decision is here. Pete Rose, the MLB all-time hits leader and member of the All-Century team, will not be reinstated by commissioner Rob Manfred.
Manfred said earlier in the year that the decision was likely to come around the end of December, but it appears as if he has already made up his mind.
"Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, has decided not to lift the permanent ban imposed on Pete Rose more than a quarter-century ago, meaning the player with more hits than anyone else in the sport's history will continue to be kept out of the Hall of Fame," writes Michael S. Schmidt of the New York Times.
"The decision by Mr. Manfred, who succeeded Bud Selig as commissioner last January, has not been publicly announced. But three people familiar with the decision, speaking on condition of anonymity because they did not want to be identified discussing a matter that was supposed to remain confidential, said that Mr. Manfred had made up his mind to keep the ban intact."
The MLB followed up Schmidt's report with an official announcement:
"Major League Baseball announced today that it has completed the review regarding Pete Rose's application for reinstatement from the Ineligible List.
"Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. today informed Mr. Rose, both verbally and in writing, that the application has been denied."
Although it was speculated Manfred could lift the lifetime ban on Rose, it was reported last month that the chances were slim despite Manfred's openness to change, as he's been tasked with countless pressing decisions during his first year on the job.
Rose and Manfred met multiple times throughout the year as the former player and manager continued to plead his case for a return to baseball. However, Rose's chances were perhaps dashed when evidence was uncovered earlier this year that suggested he gambled when he played and managed. It was previously believed he only wagered on baseball games when he managed the Cincinnati Reds from 1987-1988.
Rose reportedly still legally wagers on sports, including baseball, which is perhaps a reason why Manfred said in his three-page decision that "it is not at all clear to me that Mr. Rose has a grasp of the scope of his violations of Rule 21."
Unfortunately for Rose, he broke the one rule that baseball is extremely sensitive with. And he'll continue to pay the price almost 27 years later.
