Rose Not Allowed to Join Phillies for 1980 Reunion

Pete Rose will not be allowed to take part in the 10th anniversary reunion of the Philadelphia Phillies’ 1980 World Series championship team in the fall because of his lifetime ban from baseball.

Commissioner Fay Vincent said Thursday at the New York Yankees’ home opener that Rose cannot participate because the event is being sponsored by the team.

Rose, the former Cincinnati manager who is baseball’s all-time hit leader, was banned from baseball Aug. 24 by then-Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti after a six-month investigation determined he had gambled on several sports.

“Basically, he can’t do anything that is under baseball’s imprimatur,” Vincent said. “It isn’t a bright line. But you have to draw a line somewhere.”

The Phillies will bring back their only World Series champions Aug. 3-4 for a ceremony the first night and an old-timers’ game the second night.

Rose is doing commentaries on the Reds for a Cincinnati radio station. Vincent said that was allowed because Rose is considered to be a member of the media in that capacity.