Selig: No Change on Rose Ban

In another sign Pete Rose has little chance for reinstatement, acting Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday that baseball stands by the lifetime ban imposed on the career hits leader.

Selig, speaking at the City Club in Boise, was asked about the petition for reinstatement Rose filed last Sept. 26. At the conclusion of baseball’s gambling investigation in 1989, the 17-time all-star agreed that Aug. 23 to accept a lifetime ban.

“There is nothing that has changed that agreement. End of statement,” Selig said.

Baseball’s executive council, which runs the sport in place of a commissioner, has not acted on Rose’s petition. While Selig hasn’t made many public statements, several baseball officials speaking on the condition they not be identified have said Selig isn’t likely to act soon.

Selig said the 10-man council is reviewing the petition to make “Shoeless” Joe Jackson eligible for the Hall of Fame. Baseball greats Ted Williams and Bob Feller asked several months ago that baseball reinstate Jackson, banned from baseball after he and seven Chicago White Sox teammates were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series.