By Josh Dubow
The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Bob Boone knows that if Pete Rose is reinstated to baseball, his own job as Cincinnati Reds manager could be in jeopardy.

"I think there would be a lot of sentiment for him to manage," Boone said Sunday from baseball's winter meetings. "As soon as I was wrong once, brought in a wrong pitcher, they'd be calling for him to manage."

Rose, baseball's hit king and a former Reds manager, agreed to a lifetime ban from baseball on Aug. 23, 1989, following an investigation of his gambling. While Rose denied gambling on baseball, commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti said he concluded the 17-time All-Star bet on games involving the Reds.

But after 13 years away from the game, Rose is talking with commissioner Bud Selig about being allowed to return. Rose is not eligible for the Hall of Fame while he's on the banned list.

"I really like Pete," said Boone, who played with Rose when Philadelphia won its only World Series title in 1980. "I think for him not to be in the Hall of Fame hurts the Hall of Fame more than it hurts Peter Rose. I'm a friend of Pete's. I'd really like to see him back. I would like to see it resolved."

But Boone has more important worries than Rose's status. The Reds, coming off a 78-84 finish, are trying to rejuvenate Ken Griffey Jr.'s career.

Considered one of the best players in the game while he was with Seattle, Griffey has struggled with injuries since coming to his hometown Reds in 2000.

Griffey played in 111 games in 2001 and only 70 this year. He tore a tendon in his knee during the first week this season, and later pulled a hamstring and strained hip muscles, winding up with a .264 average, eight homers and 23 RBIs.

Griffey is under contract with the Reds for six more seasons at $12 million per year.

"The upside for Junior is off the charts," Boone said. "He's working out and in great shape. He has something to prove. I hope he can play 162 games. If he's healthy, he can be an outstanding player again."

The Reds recently tried to deal Griffey to the Padres, but San Diego's Phil Nevin vetoed the trade. Boone personally lobbied Nevin to accept the deal but doesn't think Griffey will hold it against him.

"I think it's motivational fodder," Boone said. "I don't think he's as sensitive as people think. He is a professional. He understands that those things happen in the game."