Breaking: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred removed Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and other deceased players from Major League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list.
Manfred ruled that MLB’s punishment of banned individuals ends upon their deaths. They are now presumably eligible for election into the Baseball Hall of Fame. - ESPN
This was the sensible thing to do. Each had a lifetime ban, and each is dead. Those of us who grew up with either know their greatness, even if they made the worst decision of their respective careers in MLB.
Problem is now folks are going to be pushing for Bonds and others during the steroid era to get a break too. I saw a few folks mention - not screaming about it - YET.
Steroids became a "problem" in MLB is because it tried getting baseball N2 the Olympics & any sport in the Olympics needed to subject itself to its drug testing regime. Before then, no one cared if Hank Aaron or Mickey Mantle used greenies.
For sure. Personally, I think it's BS. I have more contempt for those who got on steroids after the league started officially punishing the players for it - like Robinson Canoe as an example.
As for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, ..., they can get elected N2 the BBHOF through the Veterans' Committee. They lost their chances @ being 1st ballot HOFers & @ getting voted in by the BBWAA. David Ortiz should get expelled.
Big Papi is loved.
Loved or not, Big Papi has the taint of steroids on him. While he earned his place in the BBHOF, he should also be held 2 D same standards as Barry Bonds & company. If they get in, he can stay in. If they can't get in, he should B expelled.
I don’t ever see him getting removed but there will an era when guys like Bonds, Clemens and others get in but it won’t be the current voters.
Speaking of Barry Bonds & company, so what if they used steroids? Hitters still needed to hit the baseball, and pitchers still needed to get hitters out. A scrub who uses steroids is still a scrub. These guys were HOF-caliber regardless.
I totally agree.
One more thing....
The big complaint is that it's no longer a level playing field when some players use steroids while some don't. If "everyone" used steroids, then the playing field is level again.