Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred recently made an announcement that’s stirred up the baseball world. He admitted that former President Donald Trump’s support for Pete Rose influenced his decision to end permanent bans after death.
This change could finally let Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader, and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson get considered for the Hall of Fame. MLB’s shift on lifetime bans is sparking all sorts of talk about what comes next for the sport.
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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s Controversial Decision
On May 13, 2025, Rob Manfred shared a new interpretation of the league’s permanent ban policy. Now, bans will end when the individual passes away.
This opens the door for Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson to become eligible for the Hall of Fame in December 2027. Manfred admitted that Trump’s public support for Rose, along with plenty of other advocates, played a role in this move.
Revisiting Pete Rose’s Ban
Pete Rose accepted a permanent ban in August 1989 after investigators found he bet on the Cincinnati Reds while playing and managing. Back in 1991, the Hall of Fame ruled that anyone on the permanently banned list couldn’t be considered.
Manfred’s latest ruling changes that, giving Rose a shot at the Hall of Fame and reigniting heated debates among fans and analysts.
The Role of Technology in MLB
Manfred also talked about other big topics, like the possible rollout of robot umpires and automated ball-strike systems (ABS). MLB could use ABS technology to review ball and strike calls as early as the 2026 season.
During a spring training trial with 288 games, teams won 52.2% of their ball/strike challenges using ABS. That’s a pretty decent success rate, honestly.
Embracing Automated Ball-Strike Systems
The 11-man competition committee, which has six management reps, is seriously considering ABS. Manfred said most teams seem positive about these changes, and feedback from spring training was mostly good.
Still, MLB hasn’t made a final call yet—more talks and experiments are on the way.
MLB and the 2028 Olympics
Baseball is coming back to the Olympics in 2028, and MLB might let big league players join in. In 2021, MLB kept players on 40-man rosters from competing and many teams discouraged their top prospects from playing.
Manfred said they’ve made progress with the LA 2028 organizers about what participation could look like, but more talks with business partners need to happen before anything’s final.
Union Support and Potential Changes
The players’ union seems on board with MLB’s possible Olympic involvement. Letting star players compete would mean big changes to the MLB schedule and lots of logistical headaches, honestly.
But if it happens, the Olympics could give baseball a higher profile worldwide and give athletes a rare shot to represent their countries.
Possible Salary Cap Proposal
Manfred also brought up the idea of proposing a salary cap in the next round of bargaining with the players’ association. The current five-year deal, which ended a 99-day lockout back in March 2022, runs out on December 1, 2026.
An economic study committee formed by ownership in early 2023 has fueled talk about another push for a salary cap, hoping to close the payroll gap between teams.
Historical Context and Future Implications
The last time MLB tried to introduce a salary cap in 1994, players went on strike for almost eight months, and the World Series was canceled for the first time since 1904. Manfred said talks are ongoing, but there’s nothing decided yet.
If a salary cap actually happens, it could really shake up MLB’s finances and how competitive the league is.
Broadcasting and Attendance Trends
MLB is working on a new Sunday night national broadcast package and Home Run Derby rights, since ESPN is leaving its current deal after this season. Manfred said MLB is talking to three different groups, including both traditional broadcasters and streaming services, hoping to get a deal done before the All-Star break.
The league wants to strike a balance between reach and revenue in the next broadcast agreement.
Rising Attendance Figures
Attendance at MLB games is climbing, averaging 28,081 through 900 dates—up 1.4% from the same point last year. If this keeps up, MLB could see three straight years of attendance growth (not counting the pandemic years), something that hasn’t happened since 2004 to 2007.
That’s a pretty encouraging sign for baseball’s future, if you ask me.
Las Vegas Ballpark and Tariffs on Baseballs
The Oakland Athletics plan to open a new ballpark in Las Vegas in 2028, and construction has already started. They’re aiming for a formal groundbreaking soon and hope to play Opening Day 2028 at the new site.
Manfred also addressed concerns about tariffs on baseballs made in Costa Rica and China. He said MLB isn’t too worried about possible cost increases right now.
Looking Ahead
MLB faces big changes and plenty of challenges. The league’s leaders want to keep baseball exciting and make sure it sticks around for the long haul.
They’re looking at old bans, testing out new tech, and even thinking about ways to grow the game worldwide. Honestly, it’s hard not to feel a little curious about where all this could lead.
For more details, check out the full article on The Guardian.
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