Trump: Pete Rose should be inducted into Hall of Fame ‘before his funeral’

Former President Trump argued Pete Rose should be inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame before his funeral, following the legendary player’s death Monday. 

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the “GREAT” Rose was one of the “most magnificent baseball players to ever play the game” and that he paid the price for his betting on games in violation of league policies, the infraction that caused him to be permanently banned from the game. 

“Major League Baseball should have allowed him into the Hall of Fame many years ago. Do it now, before his funeral!” Trump said. 

Rose was one of the most prolific professional baseball players ever, holding MLB records for games played, plate appearances and hits. His 4,256 hits are just slightly more than legendary Hall of Famer Ty Cobb’s 4,191. 

Known as “Charlie Hustle” for the effort he put in on the basepaths, Rose was named an MLB All-Star 17 times and was a member of the dominant Cincinnati Reds lineups in the mid-1970s that won two World Series titles, having played for the team for nearly 20 years. He also played for five seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies, winning a World Series with the team in 1980, and spent part of one season with the Montreal Expos. 

But Rose’s legacy was scarred by the revelation in 1989 that he had placed bets on MLB games while serving as player and manager of the Reds over the course of at least a few seasons. Rose denied the allegations at the time, though he later admitted to betting on games. 

He agreed to a lifetime ban from the game, and the Hall of Fame ruled in 1991 that players with lifetime bans were ineligible to be inducted into the hall. Rose has been a controversial player in baseball since, with fans split on whether he should be inducted. 

Trump has previously advocated for Rose to be inducted into Cooperstown, calling for it on multiple occasions before and after being elected president. 

Rose had requested to be reinstated a few times throughout his life, but the MLB commissioner denied the requests each time.