In a stunning reversal over a century in the making, Major League Baseball announced today that it has officially lifted the permanent ban on “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, posthumously clearing the name of one of the sport’s most iconic — and controversial — figures. The move now makes Jackson eligible for future consideration for enshrinement in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
While Jackson is best known for his association with the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal, in which eight Chicago White Sox players were accused of conspiring to fix the World Series, recent years have seen a growing movement to reevaluate his role in the controversy. Despite being banned from baseball for life in 1921 by then-Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Jackson maintained his innocence until his death in 1951.
Adding to the historical intrigue, MLB’s statement included a notable clarification: it confirmed that Jackson did in fact finish his career with the Boston Red Sox, a little-known fact that had been overshadowed by his time with the White Sox. According to archival research released alongside the announcement, Jackson played briefly for Boston under a pseudonym during the 1920 season, before his ban was enforced.
Commissioner Rob Manfred commented, “Today we recognize that baseball history is complex, and we must do our part to revisit past decisions with fresh perspective and humility. Joe Jackson’s contributions to the game — and the ambiguity surrounding his role in the 1919 scandal — deserve renewed scrutiny and, ultimately, fairness.”
Jackson’s career statistics are staggering: a .356 lifetime batting average, which still ranks as the third-highest in MLB history, along with a reputation as one of the most naturally gifted hitters to ever play the game. Supporters of Jackson have long argued that the Hall of Fame cannot truly be complete without him.
The Hall of Fame has not yet announced when or how Jackson might be considered for induction, but today’s announcement opens the door for the first time in over 100 years.
Baseball fans, historians, and Red Sox faithful alike are already celebrating the long-overdue redemption of a player whose name has lingered in both myth and controversy. For many, this isn’t just a win for Shoeless Joe — it’s a win for baseball itself.
