Rob Manfred announced a policy change that would remove players permanently banned for life from the ineligible list upon their passing. It sends a bad message
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced a policy change that would remove players permanently banned for life from the ineligible list upon their passing. The consequences – both unintended and real – will have a lasting impact on the integrity of Major League Baseball.
Manfred, in a letter to Jeffrey M. Lenkov, the attorney for Rose seeking to have his ban lifted posthumously wrote, “In my view, a determination must be made regarding how the phrase ‘permanently ineligible’ should be interpreted in light of the purposes and policies behind Rule 21, which are to: (1) protect the game from individuals who pose a risk to the integrity of the sport by prohibiting the participation of such individuals; and (2) create a deterrent effect that reduces the likelihood of future violations by others. In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 have been served. Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. 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.
