Pete Rose

[Kevin Greene]

Not going to happen. Get over it. He was great, one of the best, but he broke such a basic rule that violated the integrity of the game that no one wants to be the voter that let him in.

If it was just skill and stats that decided it he'd have been in a long time ago. But it's not that simple. Baseball is the American Pastime, not gambling on it.

Perhaps, but never say never. Slowly, Rose has been let back in a bit.

CINCINNATI -- Pete Rose stood on first base and tipped his cap to the screaming crowd -- a little bit like 25 years ago.

The banished hits king made a rare on-field appearance Saturday while the Cincinnati Reds commemorated the 25th anniversary of his record-setting hit No. 4,192 at Cinergy Field.

A contrite Rose, who wasn't permitted to address fans during the stadium ceremony, later broke down during an event held for him in Lawrenceburg, Ind.

Wearing a No. 14 Rose jersey, he was driven onto the field at Great American Ball Park, walked over to first base and stomped on it with his booted right foot while a less-than-capacity crowd stood and cheered. Rose broke Ty Cobb's hits record with his single off San Diego's Eric Show on Sept. 11, 1985.

The 69-year-old Rose was greeted at first base by former teammates Tony Perez and Cesar Geronimo, along with a few other former Reds players. Owner Bob Castellini gave him a trophy commemorating the anniversary.

Rose didn't do interviews or speak directly to the crowd. Highlights of his pursuit of the historic hit, along with his recollections of it, were shown on the videoboard.

But he talked to an audience of about 500 at Hollywood Casino later Saturday night, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"I disrespected the game of baseball," Rose told a crowded ballroom. "When you do that, you disrespect your teammates, the game and your family."

Rose broke down as he spoke, according to the Enquirer, sobbing during a comedy roast that featured speeches from former Reds teammates Perez, Geronimo, Ken Griffey Sr., George Foster and Tom Browning.

Rose recalled a 1989 conversation with Bart Giamatti in which the late baseball commissioner suggested he "reconfigure" his life.

"I didn't know what that meant," Rose said. "It took me years and years [to come to grips with it]. ... I'm a hard-headed guy. ... But I'm a lot better guy standing here tonight."

Rose apologized to his former teammates, including those who weren't in attendance -- Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Davey Concepcion, the Enquirer reported.

Rose offered an apology directly to Perez, seated at his right, looking straight at him.

More: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5561237

I just want to see Pete be able to make his speech when he enters Cooperstown, not after he's pushing up daisies and can never have that moment.