Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Cubs' Craig Counsell Sends Message to Pete Rose Amid Reinstatement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated May 14, 2025 12:00 PM ET

On Tuesday, May 13, Major League Baseball and Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Pete Rose, along with 16 other players, were reinstated. Rose and players from the Chicago White Sox, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, were previously banned from baseball after they were found to have bet on baseball while being members of a team.

In the wake of this announcement, Andy McCullough of the New York Times wrote an article with reactions from managers around MLB to the news that Rose was reinstated. Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell shared his thoughts on Rose's reinstatement.

"Good for Pete, I'm happy for him. He belongs in the Hall of Fame."

Counsells message was short, but to the point. He congratulated Rose and hopes to see him make the National Baseball Hall of Fame. While there is no guarantee for Rose to make it, the chance to be elected is something that seemed off the table not too long ago.

Counsell's wish for Rose to make the Hall of Fame is warranted, at least statistically. In Major League Baseball history, no batter has more games played (3,562), plate appearances (15,890), at-bats (14,053), and hits (4,256).

Rose was also named National League MVP in 1973, World Series MVP in 1975, won three World Series championships, received a Rookie of the Year award in 1963, two Gold Glove awards, one Silver Slugger, a Roberto Clemente Award, three batting titles, and 17 All-Star selections.

It was an illustrious career for Rose, and looking solely at Rose's statistics and accomplishments, there would be few more deserving to make the Baseball Hall of Fame than Rose.

However, there is a litany of issues that have kept him out, and could still keep him out. The Hall of Fame's Historical Overview Committee can be nominated to be placed on the 2027 Classic Baseball Era committee ballot.

But even then, the voters could look at his gambling issues as a non-starter, even after MLB has reinstated him. Rose also has other off-the-field problems, and even if someone can overlook his gambling, those issues may be too much to overlook when voting for him.

There is a hotly contested debate over whether Rose should be inducted into the Hall of Fame or not. But, for Cubs manager Craig Counsell, he believes Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: