MLB commissioner Rob Manfred revealed Wednesday that support from President Donald Trump was indeed a factor in his stunning decision to end Pete Rose's permanent banishment from the game.
Speaking to MLB team owners at a meeting in New York, Manfred said the opinions Trump expressed to him during an April 16 visit to the White House played a part in his ultimate ruling a month later to posthumously remove Rose and 16 others from baseball's permanently ineligible list.
“The president was one of a number of voices that was supportive of the idea that this was the right decision,” Manfred said. “Obviously, I have respect for the office and the advice that he gave I paid attention to, but I had a lot of other people that were weighing in on the topic, as well.”
Manfred issued a sweeping ruling May 13 that declared "permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.”
The decision also clears the way for Rose to be considered for induction in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
