Rose Injunction Hearing Set for Aug. 28

The Pete Rose case, bogged down in legal maneuvering for nearly two months, may finally get moving Aug. 28.

U.S. District Judge John D. Holschuh of Columbus, Ohio, set that date Friday for a hearing on Rose’s request for a preliminary injunction that would continue to block his appearance before baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti.

Giamatti wants to hold a hearing to get on the record charges that the Cincinnati Reds’ manager gambled on his own team and to give Rose a chance to respond. If Giamatti finds the charges true, Rose could be banned for life.

Rose has sued Giamatti, claiming that the commissioner prejudged him, and on June 25, Judge Norbert A. Nadel of Common Pleas Court in Cincinnati issued a temporary restraining order, blocking Giamatti’s hearing.

Rose attempted to shift the case back into that state court, but Holschuh ruled July 31 that it met the diversity criteria needed for federal court. Rose said that he accepts Holschuh as the judge in the case.

“It’s fine with me,” Rose said. “He’s a good judge.”

Federal courts have traditionally upheld the sweeping powers of the commissioner.