Bud Selig is trying to arrange a meeting with all 58 living Hall of Famers to discuss Pete Rose's possible reinstatement to baseball, according to Joe Morgan in an ESPN interview.

Morgan, the Reds great and broadcaster who serves as Hall of Fame vice chairman, said in the interview that Selig would like to meet Jan. 17 in Los Angeles.

Rose and commissioner Bud Selig are negotiating a possible end to the lifetime ban the career hits leader agreed to in 1989 following an investigation of his gambling. Because of the ban, Rose is ineligible for the Hall of Fame ballot.

Baseball COO Bob DuPuy, who has headed the Rose negotiations for Selig, had a meeting last week with Hall chairwoman Jane Forbes Clark, Hall president Dale Petroskey and Morgan.

"It was a meeting to bring us up to speed on a number of issues," Hall spokesman Jeff Idelson said last week. "They gave us an update on Pete Rose. Anything going on is between baseball and Pete Rose. The Hall of Fame has no role in it."

Baseball officials had said in recent days that the Rose decision won't be finalized before the commissioner's office closed Friday for its holiday break. MLB offices reopen Jan. 2.

Rose has taken a far more conciliatory tone in his public statements about Selig in recent months and his efforts to be less combative apparently played a role in convincing Selig to allow him to attend the Most Memorable Moments ceremony during the World Series.

ESPN's Morgan spoke about the situation at the World Series, after Rose was given the longest ovation among the stars who appeared in the promotion before Game 4. Morgan said he detected increasing support for allowing Rose into the Hall of Fame. The Hall adopted a rule in February 1991 that excludes membership to those on the permanently banned list.

"But it all starts with Pete," Morgan had said. "He's got to come clean. I'm sure he liked hearing the fans cheering for him. But that ovation isn't going to get him into the Hall of Fame. He's got to make it right. It's up to him."

Living Hall of Famers

Listed in order of year inducted (from the Hall of Fame's web site at www.baseballhalloffame.org) :

Bob Feller, 1962
Stan Musial, 1969
Yogi Berra, 1972
Sandy Koufax, 1972
Monte Irvin, 1972
Warren Spahn, 1973
Whitey Ford, 1974
Ralph Kiner, 1975
Robin Roberts, 1976
Ernie Banks, 1977
Al Lopez, 1977
Willie Mays, 1979
Al Kaline, 1980
Duke Snider, 1980
Bob Gibson, 1981
Hank Aaron, 1982
Frank Robinson, 1982
George Kell, 1983
Juan Marichal, 1983
Brooks Robinson, 1983
Luis Aparicio, 1984
Harmon Killebrew, 1984
Lou Brock, 1985
Bobby Doerr, 1986
Willie McCovey, 1986
Billy Williams, 1987
Johnny Bench, 1989
Red Schoendienst, 1989
Carl Yastrzemski, 1989
Joe Morgan, 1990
Jim Palmer, 1990
Rod Carew, 1991
Fergie Jenkins, 1991
Gaylord Perry, 1991
Rollie Fingers, 1992
Tom Seaver, 1992
Reggie Jackson, 1993
Steve Carlton, 1994
Phil Rizzuto, 1994
Mike Schmidt, 1995
Jim Bunning, 1996
Earl Weaver, 1996
Tommy Lasorda, 1997
Phil Niekro, 1997
Larry Doby, 1998
Lee MacPhail, 1998
Don Sutton, 1998
George Brett, 1999
Orlando Cepeda, 1999
Nolan Ryan, 1999
Robin Yount, 1999
Sparky Anderson, 2000
Carlton Fisk, 2000
Tony Perez, 2000
Bill Mazeroski, 2001
Kirby Puckett, 2001
Dave Winfield, 2001
Ozzie Smith, 2002