Pete Rose’s death ignited the same debate that’s surrounded MLB’s all-time hit king for decades. But while fans and media argue about whether Rose should ever be posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, another legendary name of the past is often forgotten.
Like Rose, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson became ineligible for the Hall of Fame after an MLB ban. However, unlike Rose, Jackson’s situation and guilt aren’t clear.
After years of denial, Rose finally came clean in 2004, admitting to betting on his team while manager of the Cincinnati Reds in the late 1980s. Conversely, Jackson, who was banned for allegedly throwing the 1919 World Series as part of the infamous “Black Sox” scandal, went to his grave professing his innocence.
Transcripts from a 1924 trial that were revealed in 2023 show Jackson saying he was in fact offered money to lose the World Series, but that he never received the money in full and that he actually tried his best in that series. Despite what he said in the trial, Jackson has become a mythical figure of baseball history, only revived in the classic 1989 film “A Field of Dreams.”
Supporting Jackson’s claim, he posted a .375 batting average in the World Series he’s accused of trying to lose. Jackson even threw a runner out at home plate. Overall in the eight-game series, Jackson recorded 12 hits in 32 at-bats, drove in six runs, scored five and even crushed a rare home run.
Jackson’s Chicago White Sox did fall to the Reds, but it’s tough to argue the man at the center of the controversy did anything but try to win. Jackson was part of a championship victory two years earlier when the White Sox defeated the then New York Giants, yet hit only .304 with seven hits and just two RBI in comparison.
Aside from the discrepancy about Jackson’s efforts and intentions, his career was abruptly cut short. So while Rose’s ban occurred following his complete 24-year career, Jackson was only able to play 13 seasons. No matter what anyone may think of Rose, there’s no denying his baseball resume is one of the most accomplished and greatest ever.
As for Jackson, his career will forever go down as one of the biggest “what if” stories in sports. He finished with 1,772 hits and a .356 career average. Jackson’s final season also showed he was still at the top of his game. In 1920 before the ban, Jackson had 218 hits, 121 RBIs, 20 triples and a staggering .382 average.
The debates about Rose’s legacy will likely never end, but his death creates an opportunity to shed light on another legend who deserves recognition as well.
