President Donald Trump has announced that he will issue a full pardon to the late baseball player Pete Rose. In his late-Friday Truth Social post, the president also criticized Major League Baseball for never having the “courage or decency” to induct Rose into its Hall of Fame.
The baseball legend, best known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds and nicknamed “Charlie Hustle,” was banned from the sport for betting on games. He also spent a few months in prison for tax evasion. The all-time hit leader died last year at the age of 83.
“He never betted against himself or the opposing team. He had the most hits in baseball history and won more games than any other athlete,” Trump wrote.
Trump claimed Rose was a “much better player” than many already in the Hall of Fame and urged the league to bestow the honor posthumously. (The Hall of Fame, which is closely related to but separate from the MLB, does not typically honor players who have been banned from the game.)
This is the latest in a series of pardons granted by Trump since taking office.
