By John Erardi
Enquirer staff writer

Pete Rose was banned from baseball for gambling. (AP File)

The Reds released their guest list Thursday for their Hall of Fame and Museum gala, and one name is conspicuously absent:

Pete Rose.

Nobody is better feted within the museum than Peter Edward, but because his ban from Major League Baseball prohibits him from being elected to the Reds Hall, he won't be at the gala.

"Since he's not in the Reds' Hall, unfortunately, he's not invited," said Reds chief operating officer John Allen. "We have to abide by Major League Baseball rules in that regard."

Rose also won't be at Great American Ball Park for Joe Nuxhall Tribute Night Sept. 18, for which many Reds Hall of Famers and former players, including Ed Bailey, Dave Bristol, Lee May, Tom Browning and Chuck Harmon, will be present.

The latter five also will join 16 Reds Hall of Famers - including Big Red Machine members Sparky Anderson, Tony Perez, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Ken Griffey, Jack Billingham, Clay Carroll, Dave Concepcion and George Foster - at the Sept. 20 gala.

Rose was banned from baseball in 1989 because of his involvement in gambling.

"Pete is well recognized throughout the museum," Allen said. "There is also the (Rose) garden just outside (the Hall of Fame and Museum building)."

Among the Rose recognition in the museum is a wall of 4,256 baseballs representing his record hit total.

"I can't imagine Pete Rose fans not being excited by what we've done (within the museum) to honor him," said museum director Greg Rhodes.

There is one mention of Rose's banishment from baseball. It appears on his Reds' manager's plaque in the section of the museum acknowledging the team's winningest skippers. Rose's managerial career was cut short by his banishment.

There is "no possibility" of Rose being elected to the Reds Hall of Fame unless he is first removed by Major League Baseball from its permanently ineligible list, Rhodes said.

The other Reds Hall of Famers who will attend the gala are Leo Cardenas, Wayne Granger, Tommy Helms, Jim Maloney, Jim O'Toole, Mario Soto and Nuxhall.