The Reds weren't allowed to bring in Pete Rose, and Joe Morgan and Tom Seaver have prior commitments. But other than that, they will have a who's who of Riverfront/Cinergy for the closing ceremonies of the stadium.

        Fifty-four players, managers and executives - including Hall of Famers Sparky Anderson, Johnny Bench and Tony Perez - will be there Sunday, Sept.22, when the Reds play host to the Philadelphia Phillies in the final major-league game at the stadium.

        Members of the Reds Hall of Fame expected to attend include Joe Nuxhall, Don Gullett, Tommy Helms, Jack Billingham, Mario Soto and Dave Concepcion.

        Rose was excluded because of his ban from baseball due to gambling. The Reds still are holding out hope for Morgan, who's an analyst on baseball broadcasts.

        “At this point, he can't get out of his obligation with ESPN,” Reds marketing director Cal Levy said. “Seaver is doing a broadcast with the Mets, so he can't come.”

        The sendoff weekend begins with the 7:10 p.m. game Friday, Sept. 20. The Reds open a series against the Phillies that night.

        The game will be followed by a 20-minute fireworks display. Joe Moss, who works on the annual Riverfest fireworks, is choreographing the display.

        The Friday game is the only one of the three-game series that is not sold out.

        Tickets are available at www.cincinnatireds.com or 381-REDS.

        Fans attending Saturday's 7:10 p.m. game will receive a miniature replica of Cinergy Field.

        The big ceremony will start 10 minutes after the conclusion of Sunday's game. Reds announcers Marty Brennaman, Nuxhall, George Grande and Chris Welsh will serve as masters of ceremonies.

        Others scheduled to participate:

        Doug Bair, Todd Benzinger, Bill Bergesch, Bob Boone, Pedro Borbon Sr., Jim Bowden, Jeff Brantley, Tom Browning, Bernie Carbo, Clay Carroll, Kal Daniels, Eric Davis, Rob Dibble, Rawly Eastwick, Nick Esasky, Doug Flynn, George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, Ken Griffey Sr., Tom Hume, Danny Jackson, Davey Johnson, Tracy Jones, Ray Knight, Barry Larkin, Will McEnaney, John McNamara, Hal Morris, Russ Nixon, Paul O'Neill, Ron Oester, Joe Oliver, Dave Parker, Frank Pastore, Ted Power, Bob Quinn, Jeff Reed, Jose Rijo, Ron Robinson, Jeff Shaw, John Smiley, Jimmy Stewart, Eddie Taubensee, Bobby Tolan and Woody Woodward.

Rijo to start final game at Cinergy Reds greats will attend Cinergy closing Reds 15, Cubs 12 Reds Box, Runs Casey's bum shoulder worse than diagnosed Reds Notebook: Kearns hopes to return Angels tie A's atop AL West Rangers 7, Mariners 3 Padres 3, Giants 2 Rockies 7, Dodgers 1 Astros 6, Cardinals 3

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