Tuesday, September 2, 1997
Rose talks of reinstatement

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BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

It was just like the old days. Pete Rose Sr., making news on the riverfront. Rose, suspended eight years from Major League Baseball under a cloud of alleged gambling, said Monday the time is getting closer for him to apply to the commissioner's office for reinstatement. "We're talking about it," said Rose Sr., after watching his son's major-league debut at Cinergy Field. "The ball's rolling. I can't give you a specific day."

As Rose spoke to the media in the stadium parking garage, hundreds of fans chanted "Pete, Pete," clearly delighting baseball's all-time hit leader.

"I mean a thing like today (doesn't) hurt me. If (acting commissioner) Bud Selig were standing here,' Rose said. "I told Marge (Schott) I know a way to put some asses in those red seats. I can't tell you what I told her then."

Asked if he is waiting to apply to a new commissioner, Rose said, "No, not really. We've had one meeting with him." Selig had no comment Monday. Rose wasn't specific about what kind of meeting, but MLB sources said they have not yet met face-to-face.

Rose's return to the stadium on the street that bears his name went smoother than his last visit. Four years ago, Rose was reprimanded for going into TV booths. Under terms of his suspension, he has to buy a ticket and can't go where the general public can't.

As late as Monday morning, Reds Managing Executive John Allen and stadium operations chief Jody Pettyjohn conferred with baseball officials to get a checklist of dos and don'ts. For one thing, the Reds couldn't set up a news conference for Rose, and he couldn't talk to the media in the stadium.

Rose, with his wife and children, sat with Schott for the first half of the game in her field box before the party retired upstairs to her club box.

Today's report

MAIN STORY
PETE JR.'S DREAM COMES TRUE
FAN BREAKS RIBS IN FALL
DAD KNOWS MAJOR LEAGUER WHEN HE SEES ONE
FANS, FUN RETURN TO BALLPARK
KAROLYN ROSE CHERISHES HER MOMENT Paul Daugherty column
NOTEBOOK: NO PRIME TIME
BOX, RUNS
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