Banned from baseball for life in 1989 for gambling, Rose visited Reds camp to see his son, Pete Rose Jr., a Reds minor-leaguer. Coach Donnie Scott asked Rose Sr. to give the minor-leaguers a motivational speech.
Major League Baseball heard of the speech Wednesday and said Mr. Rose had broken the terms of his 1989 agreement.
''Pete Rose was in clear violation of the agreement,'' MLB spokesman Rich Levin said. ''We are waiting for a complete written report from the Reds, at which time we will take appropriate action.''
Action could include a fine for the Reds and another impediment to reinstatement for Rose, who formally applied last September to be let back in to the game. Unless he is reinstated, Rose cannot be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Baseball's ruling executive council hasn't formally considered Rose's petition, but acting Commissioner Bud Selig said last month Rose was unlikely to be reinstated, because there's no new evidence to prove his innocence. Wednesday's incident will not help his cause.
Rose spoke at the request of minor league coach Donnie Scott.
(AP photo)
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Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said he spoke to National League President Leonard Coleman Wednesday.
''We explained it was just an honest mistake,'' he said.
Scott said he just wanted the minor leaguers to hear a baseball legend like Rose speak and said he never thought of the ban.
''It was a spur-of-the-moment thing,'' he said. ''I had no intentions to get anyone in trouble.''
Baseball said earlier this week it would be OK for Rose to visit camp if he were treated like any other fan.
Rose said he hopes the commissioner's office will rule on his petition soon - either way. But even though he signed the 1989 agreement, he still believes he didn't do anything to deserve lifetime punishment.
''I'm a good citizen. I do a lot of positive things,'' Rose said. ''I think I've been in the penalty box long enough.''
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