Phillies' Mike Schmidt Congratulates Pete Rose and Family After Being Reinstated by MLB

On Tuesday, May 13th, Major League Baseball announced that former Philadelphia Phillies legend Pete Rose was to be reinstated. The Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Rob Manfred, made the announcement reinstating Rose, along with other players like Shoeless Joe Jackson and members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox.

The announcement came with plenty of reactions, including one from Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. Rose and Schmidt overlapped with the Phillies from 1979 to 1983, where they won the 1980 World Series together. 

Bob Nightengale of USA Today shared Schmidt's reaction and message to Rose and his family amid the announcement from MLB.

"It's a great day for baseball as Comissioner Manfred has reinstate Pete Rose, making him eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The ongoing question of whether Pete Rose should or shouldn't be in the Hall will be answered by a select panel in the next Classic Baseball Era Committee."

Schmidt then continued his message, this time addressing Rose's family: "Congratulations to Pete's family, his teammates, as well as his supporters who have waited many years for this opportunity for consideration."

Rose was initially banned from baseball after he was found to have gambled on the Cincinnati Reds while being the teams manager. Rose was surrounded with other accusations or gambling from when he was a player, but MLB barred him from baseball for gambling on the Reds while being their manager.

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt is introduced during the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Clark Sports Center.

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Schmidt's statement comes in the wake of major news, which opens the door for Rose, and others barred from baseball, to have a chance on the Hall of Fame ballot. While Rose could still not be voted in by the Classic Baseball Era Committee, the chance to be eligible is a great honor on it's own.

Schmidt's congratulatory message is meant for Rose's family and teammates, who will see Rose get a chance to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, even if he isn't voted in. 

During Rose's 24-year career, he amassed 4,256 hits, the most in Major League Baseball history. He also played in the most games, had the most plate appearances, and had the most at-bats in MLB history.

Rose also scored 2,165 runs, hit 746 doubles, 135 triples, 160 home runs, 1,314 RBI, and had 1,566 walks. He finished his illustrious career with three World Series rings, one World Series MVP, an NL MVP in 1973, Rookie of the Year, two Gold Gloves, three batting titles, one silver slugger, and 17 All-Star appearances.

Rose's numbers and accomplishments paint a clear-cut Hall of Famer, but his gambling and off the field issues create a muddied picture. Despite his strong resume, Rose isn't a lock to make the Hall of Fame when he makes his debut on the ballot.

While there will be plenty of detractors, and supporters, Rose's Hall of Fame candidacy is a stunning turn of events for MLB after banning Rose from baseball.