THE SIDELINES : Rose Accuser’s Interview Canceled

A lawyer for Pete Rose today said an interview with one of Rose’s primary accusers has been canceled because of “numerous unfair conditions,” including asking for $25,000.

Ron Peters, identified as a bookmaker for the Cincinnati Reds manager, was scheduled to be interviewed by Rose’s lawyers, who are preparing a defense for a hearing with the baseball commissioner. However, Rose’s lawyers today said they received a letter from James D. Ruppert, a Peters lawyer, which “belatedly imposed numerous unfair conditions relating to the Peters interview.”

“Among others, he is insisting that Mr. Rose agree in advance to pay Mr. Peters the sum of $25,000 in the event information obtained from Mr. Peters during the interview is released to ‘any media or news agency,’ ” the law firm said.