Major League Baseball commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. announced Tuesday a “policy decision” regarding players who have passed away while on the permanently ineligible list, such as Pete Rose and “Shoeless Joe” Jackson, have been reinstated.

A decision expected to send ripple effects across MLB, the release states the “issue has never been formally addressed” by the league, and “an application filed by the family of Pete Rose has made it incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision on this unprecedented issue in the modern era as Mr. Rose is the first person banned after the tenure of Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list.”

Furthermore, Manfred’s decision lifts Rose’s ban, and 17 others, too.

“Commissioner Manfred has concluded that MLB’s policy shall be that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual,” the release states.

Manfred wrote a letter to Jeffrey M. Lenkov, the attorney for Rose, in response to a Jan. 8 letter from Lenkov on behalf of the Rose family according to the release. Lenkov’s letter requested “Rose be posthumously removed from the permanently ineligible list.”

“Indeed, Mr. Rose is the first person banned by a Commissioner other than Kenesaw Mountain Landis to die while still on the ineligible list,” Manfred stated. “As such, it is incumbent upon the Office of the Commissioner to reach a policy decision regarding this unprecedented issue in the modern era…

“In my view, once an individual has passed away, the purposes of Rule 21 have been served,” Manfred stated. “Obviously, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game. Moreover, it is hard to conceive of a penalty that has more deterrent effect than one that lasts a lifetime with no reprieve. Therefore, I have concluded that permanent ineligibility ends upon the passing of the disciplined individual, and Mr. Rose will be removed from the permanently ineligible list…

“In closing, I want to emphasize that it is not part of my authority or responsibility to express any view concerning Mr. Rose’s consideration by or possible election to the Hall of Fame,” Manfred stated. “I agree with Commissioner Giamatti that responsibility for that decision lies with the Hall of Fame.”

The Cincinnati Reds released a statement Tuesday that they are “thankful” for the policy decision.

“Pete is one of the greatest players in baseball history, and Reds Country will continue to celebrate him as we always have,” Principal Owner and Managing Partner of the Cincinnati Reds Bob Castellini stated in a release. “We are especially happy for the Rose family to receive this news and what this decision could mean for them and all of Pete’s fans.”

The Philadelphia Phillies, for whom Rose played from 1979-83, and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt released statements via social media Tuesday regarding Rose’s reinstatement from the permanently ineligible list.

“The Phillies support today’s decision by Commissioner Manfred and Major League Baseball to remove Pete Rose from the permanently ineligible list,” the Phillies stated. “As one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Pete made significant on-field contributions to the Phillies over his five seasons (1979-83) with the club, highlighted by our first World Series title in 1980.”

“It’s a great day for baseball as Commissioner Manfred has reinstated Pete Rose, making him eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame,” Schmidt stated. “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.

“Congratulations to Pete’s family, his teammates, as well as his supporters who have waited many years for this opportunity for consideration.”