One Chicago White Sox icon is finally eligible for the Hall of Fame: Report

The Chicago White Sox are one of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball. Their roots go back to 1894, when they were known as the Sioux City Cornhuskers. Once the turn of the century hit, the Cornhuskers packed their bags and moved to Chicago, where they planted their roots and have been known as the White Sox ever since. 

Since coming to Chicago, the White Sox have won three World Series titles (1906, 1917, 2005) and have an overall record of 9,606-9641 in 125 seasons with Jimmy Dykes holding the mantle as the winningest manager in franchise history. In their long history, the White Sox have had some great moments, like the World Series titles, but have also had some stains on their franchise, the biggest of which came during the 1919 World Series when eight players on the White Sox conspired with gamblers to “throw” games and lose the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. 

One of those named as a conspirator was one of the Chicago White Sox’s best players, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, who, because of his involvement in the scandal, was permanently banned by Major League Baseball along with the other seven players for their involvement. Now it appears that Jackson’s fortunes have turned, as his case has been reopened, which finally benefits his case for the Hall of Fame. 

Chicago White Sox icon finally reinstated by Major League Baseball

It only took 106 years, but according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Major League Baseball has finally relented and reinstated “Shoeless” Joe and Pete Rose from baseball’s permanently banned list, making them eligible for the Hall of Fame. Both Rose and Jackson were banned from baseball because they violated baseball’s rules against gambling. 

“Huge news from @DVNJr: Major League Baseball has reinstated Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson and other deceased players from its permanently ineligible list. Details free at ESPN:”

Huge news from @DVNJr: Major League Baseball has reinstated Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson and other deceased players from its permanently ineligible list. Details free at ESPN: https://t.co/AxN5lueW2Q

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 13, 2025

When asked why, he felt this was the time for Rose and Jackson to be reinstated, Commissioner Rob Manfred said:

“Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game,” Manfred wrote in a letter to attorney Jeffrey M. Lenkov, who petitioned for Rose’s removal from the list Jan. 8. “Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve.

Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list.”

Jackson, who passed away in 1951, played six seasons with the White Sox from 1915 until he was officially banned by baseball in 1920. In his six seasons with the Sox, Jackson had a slash line of .340/.407/.499 for an OPS of .906 and an OPS+ of 159, and was a career .356 hitter, which is good enough for third all time. 

Why is this significant? 

The news that Jackson, Rose, and others being reinstated from the permanently banned list is long overdue. Most fans of the game believed Rose should have already been in the Hall of Fame; however, a vast majority feel that Jackson’s dismissal from the Hall was never warranted, given there’s a belief that he didn’t go along with the scandal, given how he performed during the World Series. 

Rose and Jackson’s names will now go in front of the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which consists of 16 former players. The committee won’t meet again until December of 2027, and both Jackson and Rose will need 12 votes to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Both have strong chances and cases to make the Hall, but it will come down to how the Committee members feel and how much they value the “no gambling” rule.