Thursday, February 10, 2000
City invites Rose to party with Reds
BY MARIE McCAIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Before the Cincinnati Reds — without Pete Rose — commemorate the 25th anniversary of the team's third World Series win, Cincinnati hopes to hold its own celebration — with him.
Calling Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig's decision to bar Mr. Rose from the June 3 event “petty” and “trite,” Cincinnati Councilman Pat DeWine proposed a precelebration celebration on Fountain Square.
The motion, introduced during Wednesday's council meeting, proposed inviting the entire Reds team, including Mr. Rose, to the city event.
“The planned (team) celebration is to honor the 1975 Reds as a complete Big Red Machine. Subsequent controversies should not diminish the achievements of the 1975 Reds. It is unthinkable to hon or the 1975 Reds without including Pete Rose,” the motion stated.
It was unanimously approved 8-0 and signed by every council member present. Councilman Jim Tarbell was absent.
Despite Mr. Rose's status as the most valuable player of the 1975 series, Mr. Selig refused a Reds request to include him in the June festivities. Mr. Selig is upholding a 1989 agreement, signed by Mr. Rose, banning Mr. Rose from baseball for life.
The agreement was made after an investigation by Major League Baseball alleged that Mr. Rose bet on baseball games. He has never admitted to these accusations.
With the approval of Wednesday's motion, Mr. DeWine said the city festivities will be paid for by private donations.
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