Major League Baseball's commissioner Rob Manfred has responded to the legendary and controversial baseball star Pete Rose after the former Cincinnati Red begged the league to include him into the Hall of Fame after apologising for betting on games.
One of the greatest hitters of all-time, Rose leads the league in hits (4.256) with an outstanding batting average (.303) whilst also winning the MVP in 1973 and World Series MVP in 1975. What's more, Rose also won the World Series on three occasions, but he ruined his reputation when he became a coach in 1984.
Rose admitted that he had been gambling on games that he played in as a player, as well as a manager for the Reds, which would make him permanently ineligible to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
After 30 years of him first being denied entry, Rose recently had written an open letter out of desperation to be considered. He said: "I am writing today for three reasons. First, because at my age I want to be 100% sure that you understand how much I mean it when I say that I'm sorry.
"Second, to ask for your forgiveness. And third, because I still think every day about what it would mean to be considered for the Hall of Fame."
The letter would go on to pour his heart out over not being inducted, whilst admitting the guilt he lives with, along with his passionate love for baseball and his pride on potentially being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
After the message, commissioner Manfred said that those who bet on baseball should not be permanently eligible to play, but did not necessarily shut down his bid for the Hall of Fame.
Commissioner Manfred said: "I believe that when you bet on baseball from Major League Baseball’s perspective, you belong on the permanently ineligible list.
"When I dealt with the issue the last time he applied for reinstatement, I made clear that I didn't think the function of that baseball list was the same as eligibility criteria for the Hall of Fame. That remains my position. I think it's a conversation that really belong on the Hall of Fame board. I'm on that board, it's just not appropriate for me to get in front of those talks."
Rose had already applied to be instated into the Hall of Fame in 2015, which was denied by Manfred.
