On April 23, two Republican lawmakers from Southwest Ohio introduced House Concurrent Resolution 15, calling for Pete Rose to be removed from MLB’s “permanently ineligible list” as soon as possible. They urged the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and the National Baseball Hall of Fame to include Rose on the Hall of Fame ballot. Thirteen other lawmakers, mostly from the same region, signed on as sponsors of the resolution.

The resolution highlights Rose’s impressive baseball career, noting that he holds the lifetime MLB record for hits and is the all-time leader in at-bats and games played in Major League Baseball. Additionally, Rose is recognized as the only MLB player to have played more than 500 games at five different positions.

At 83 years old, Pete Rose remains a controversial figure in the world of baseball. Despite his undeniable talent and records, he has been banned from the sport for his involvement in gambling. The lawmakers behind House Concurrent Resolution 15 believe that it is time for Rose to be given the opportunity for recognition and inclusion in the Hall of Fame.