SAN FRANCISCO — Pete Rose got the biggest cheers — and chants of “Hall of Fame” — when he was introduced before Game 4 of the World Series Wednesday night as part of a promotion of baseball's most memorable moments.

Pete Rose is flanked by Cal Ripken and Hank Aaron at the ceremony before Game 4 of the World Series. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The Reds great, banned from baseball following an investigation into his gambling 13 years ago, was given a standing ovation at Pacific Bell Park that lasted 1 minute, 10 seconds — longer than the cheers for Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken Jr., Mark McGwire and Kirk Gibson.

        “That was incredible,” Rose said. “I thought I was back in Cincinnati. The fans are the reason I played the game.”

        Rose was honored for breaking Ty Cobb's career hits record of 4,191 in 1985. That was voted the sixth greatest moment in baseball. Cal Ripken's consecutive games streak was voted No. 1.

        (Watch video of Rose's record hit and read about his big night, Sept. 11, 1985, selected by the Enquirer as the greatest moment at Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field).

Rose tips his cap and ... (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Wearing a dark suit, pink tie and Reds' cap, Rose emerged from the Giants dugout on the third-base side, waved and blew a kiss to the crowd. The Angels and Giants applauded from the top step of the dugout.

        Even commissioner Bud Selig applauded when Rose was introduced.

        Rose applied for reinstatement in September 1997 but Selig has refused to rule on it, saying he hasn't seen any evidence that would make him alter the lifetime ban.

        Rose said he wasn't angry that Selig hasn't ruled on his application.

        “He's had enough things go wrong this year,” Rose said. “I think it was unfair he took the blame for the All-Star game.”

... bows to the crowd. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Selig was criticized in July when the All-Star game at Milwaukee ended in a 7-7 tie in the 11th inning after the teams ran out of pitchers.

        Selig also allowed Rose to appear on the field before Game 2 of the 1999 World Series at Atlanta's Turner Field, and Charlie Hustle received a 55-second ovation, the longest and loudest reception given a player at the introductions of baseball's All-Century team.

        Rose is ineligible for the Hall of Fame as long as he's banned but Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who played for the Dodgers when they and Rose's Reds were archivals, hopes that will change.

        “I think that when you talk about the greats of the game, certainly Pete Rose is right there with them, and you would hope there would be some understanding between Pete and major league baseball just to exactly what his status is,” Scioscia said.

        "If you talk about the guys who are the real warriors of baseball — the guys who not only brought the torch from one generation to the other, but passing it on — Pete Rose in a major part of that.”

Rose watches Ripken throw out the first pitch along with Aaron, Mark McGwire and Kirk Gibson. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The top 10 moments, with vote totals in parentheses (more than 1.1 million votes cast):

        1. Ripken's consecutive games streak (282,821 votes).

        2. Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record in 1974 (275,451 votes)

        3. Jackie Robinson becoming the first black to play in Major League Baseball, in 1947 (251,564 votes).

        4. The home run chase by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa to beat Roger Maris' single-season home run record in 1998 (242,279 votes).

        5. Lou Gehrig's farewell speech in Yankee Stadium in 1939 (237,131 votes).

        6. Pete Rose breaking Ty Cobb's all-time career hits record in 1985 (230,852 votes).

        7. Ted Williams becoming the last player to hit above .400 in 1941 (203,982 votes).

        8. Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak in 1941 (176,810 votes).

        9. Kirk Gibson's pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series (157,716 votes).

        10. Nolan Ryan's seventh career no-hitter, in 1991 (146,269 votes).

        Read about Rose's record night, Sept. 11, 1985

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