Pete Rose Jr. was scheduled to fly to Somerset, N.J., on Friday to begin playing with an independent team there .

        But Reds farm director Tim Naehring called at 9 a.m. with a better offer: a chance to play for the Reds' Double-A team at Chattanooga. By Friday night, Rose was in Jacksonville, Fla., going 1-for-3 with a double for the Lookouts.

IN OUR ARCHIVES

With his father watching over his shoulder in the front row, Pete Rose Jr. batted in his first major-league game on Sept. 1, 1997. Click here for Enquirer coverage.

        “Pete wants to play,” his agent, Joe Bick said. “This works out well for both parties.”

        The opportunity came because of injuries at Chattanooga. There have been no promises about a chance to play with the Reds.

        “That hasn't even been discussed,” Bick said. “We talked to the Reds three weeks ago when Pete got released by the Phillies. We said to keep us in mind.”

        Reds general manager Jim Bowden said it was a minor-league signing.

        “Timmy (Naehring) had three players go down with thumb injuries in the last week,” Bowden said.

        Rose, the 31-year-old Oak Hills High graduate, has a .258 average in 1,188 minor-league games.

        He had a brief callup with the Reds in September, 1997, batting .143 (2-for-14).

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