BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Rose Hears Cheers at Schmidt Ceremony

The Reading Phillies retired Mike Schmidt’s number Thursday night, and the surprise guest was Pete Rose.

A crowd of 5,222 at Reading Municipal Stadium offered a standing ovation for the banished baseball star, who was a surprise guest during a ceremony to retire the minor league uniform number of his friend and former teammate.

“I’d just like to say it’s nice to be at a ballgame,” Rose told the crowd after he and his wife, Carol, embraced Schmidt in front of home plate.

Earlier, Rose gave his first interview since he was released from prison Jan. 7. “I’m honored to be a small part of this evening,” Rose told the Reading Eagle and Reading Times. “I wish I could’ve been there when they retired his number in Philadelphia.”

Rose, 50, wasn’t able to participate in that event last year at Veterans Stadium because of his agreement with major league baseball, which forbids his attendance at major league games.

That night, Schmidt wore a rose on his lapel, with Rose’s No. 14 pinned to it.

Thursday, Schmidt was unaware that Rose would be in attendance.

“It meant a great deal, and it was a total surprise,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt and Rose were teammates in Philadelphia for five seasons, leading the Phillies to their only World Series championship in 1980.

Minor league baseball is not governed by major league baseball, making Rose’s appearance possible.