The Cincinnati Enquirer

Word is baseball's front-office types are more concerned about dumping salaries and working out trades than they are about addressing the Pete Rose issue.

Either way, all the publicity probably can't hurt www.peterose.com.

If you don't have the Christmas shopping done yet, you can visit the Web site and get an authentic picture of Pete's first at-bat at Crosley Field in 1963 for, well ... hope you've saved your money.

According to the site, you can buy an autographed 11-x-14 black and white photo of the occasion for $239. For those who recently have cashed a lottery ticket, a 16-x-20 photo is $429.

You also can navigate the site to find prices on balls, bats, jerseys and miscellaneous items.

Also, according to the site, The Hit King is available for appearances. To quote the site:

Pete Rose is available to appear at many different types of events including keynote speeches, cocktail parties, golf outings and many more. If you would like Pete Rose at your event, please fill out the request form. A representative will contact you with further information and quotes on appearance fees and related expenses.

Somehow, it seems that had Pete never had any trouble with Baseball and was a card-carrying member of the Hall of Fame, he'd be just another old ballplayer. Pretty ironic, huh?