The Associated Press

DAYTON, Ohio - Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine believes Pete Rose belongs in the baseball Hall of Fame and called commissioner Bud Selig on Thursday to discuss negotiations about reinstating the career hits leader, the senator's spokesman said.

DeWine, a Republican, is a longtime Cincinnati Reds fan and season ticketholder, said Mike Dawson, DeWine's press secretary.

"Senator DeWine's a huge baseball fan," said Dawson, who would not give details about the conversation between DeWine and Selig. He said DeWine thinks the negotiations should continue.

DeWine remarked that Rose, who played for and managed the Reds, should be in the Hall of Fame during a speaking appearance Thursday before an economic development group in Dayton.

Rose accepted a lifetime ban from the game in 1989 following an investigation of his gambling. He cannot be voted into the Hall of Fame unless the ban is lifted.

Negotiations between Selig and Rose have been going on for more than a year, according to a high-ranking baseball official.

The senator was traveling Thursday night and could not be reached for comment.