CINCINNATI Pete Rose was back on a major-league field Tuesday night. The question now is: will baseball welcome him back for good?
Rose took part in the ceremonies before the All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park as Major League Baseball announced the winners of its Franchise Four, which allowed fans to vote for the four greatest players in the history of all 30 teams.
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It was wonderful, wonderful, Rose told a handful of reporters immediately following the ceremony. The only bad thing about being out there was I didnt get no at-bats.
"I wish I could have got a couple at-bats, but the fans were wonderful.
The game itself didnt give the hometown fans the same thrill as the American League earned home-field advantage in the World Series with a 6-3 victory over the National League.
Mike Trout became the first back-to-back All-Star MVP, leading off the game with a home run and scoring two runs. Brian Dozier also homered for the AL, while Prince Fielder drove in a pair of runs.
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Came out with a W; thats the biggest thing, Trout said. When Im in there, Im playing nine innings hard. Its just an incredible honor to be a part of the All-Star Game and win the MVP twice.
Jacob deGrom was a standout for the NL, striking out the side on 10 pitches. Dellin Betances threw a scoreless seventh for the AL, while Brett Gardner (0-for-2) and Mark Teixeira (0-for-2) went hitless.
After MLB revealed the results of the winners of the Franchise Four for the other 29 teams, Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman introduced the four players selected as the greatest in Reds history.
Johnny Bench emerged from the American Leagues third base dugout wearing a red sport jacket, getting a huge ovation from the Cincinnati crowd. Barry Larkin followed, sporting the same home-team color jacket, then Joe Morgan did the same. Morgan, walking with a cane after having knee surgery, took his time getting on to the field, but the fans attention remained focused on the dugout.
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Rose, who has been suspended from MLB since 1989 for betting on baseball, waited on the top step, where the crowd caught a glimpse of him and began to roar, chanting Pete! Pete! The crowd noise drowned out the PA system, a thunderous ovation breaking out as Rose stepped on the field.
When Pete went out there, the decibels went up a whole bunch, Larkin said. We expected that. Johnny was saying that he was glad he went last. It was fantastic. Another, great, great opportunity.
Rose exchanged high fives with Morgan and Larkin, then embraced Bench before the four Reds legends took their spots in front of the mound. The fans continued their applause, after which the four walked off the field and Roses highly anticipated moment was over.
You know, Ive been going through this love affair for 30 years; fans are great, said Rose, who admitted to being emotional during the ceremony. I am glad I didnt go first.
Asked whether the response from the fans was a sign that Rose belonged back in the game, Larkin didnt hesitate to endorse the idea.
You saw it, everybody experienced it, Larkin said. I dont know if it would just happen in Cincinnati, (Im) assuming that the reception would be like that all over baseball. He is the hit king; he is the man. You heard the fans respond. And hopefully, the commissioner or whoever has to make the decision heard it too, because the man is a legend, he should be in the game.
Rose submitted a formal request for reinstatement in March. Commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday that while he expects to meet with baseballs all-time hit king to discuss his lifetime ban from the game, there is no timetable for that meeting to take place.
Im not going to speculate about timetable, because part of it is related to what Mr. Rose and his representatives want to do, Manfred said during a 37-minute Q&A with the Baseball Writers Association of America. In terms of my own thinking, the timing is going to be driven by how quickly we can get the work done that I want to get done before I meet with Mr. Rose.
That includes reviewing all of the original investigatory material involved with Roses case, which Manfred admitted is overwhelming. I frankly was surprised at how much material there was to be reviewed, Manfred said. Were taking a fresh look at all of that. I remain committed to the idea that Mr. Rose deserves an opportunity to tell me in whatever format he feels most comfortable whatever he wants me to know about the issues. Im sure there will be an in-person meeting.
Tags: pete rose , mike trout , mlb all-star gameSource: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/pete-rose-cheered-cincinnati-mlb-all-star-game-article-1.2292492
