Rose Is Back on the Field--for One Day

Despite his lifetime ban from baseball, Pete Rose is scheduled to be on the field before Game 2 of the World Series on Sunday as part of baseball’s All-Century team.

Fans voted for the century’s top 25 players, including nine outfielders, and Rose was consistently ninth in the voting, which ran from July 13-Sept. 19. His election was confirmed Wednesday by a baseball official familiar with the vote totals, speaking on the condition he not be identified.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig decided in August that Rose could participate in the All-Century team if he was elected.

Rose, however, was not invited to a luncheon before the All-Star game that honored the living members among the 100 on the ballot.

Rose, then manager of the Cincinnati Reds, agreed on Aug. 23, 1989 to a lifetime ban from baseball after an investigation into his gambling, a deal announced the following day by Commissioner Bart Giamatti.

The All-Century team, which includes five players overlooked by fans and added by a special panel, will be announced Saturday and honored the following day.

As long as he’s banned, Rose is ineligible for the Hall of Fame. No person permanently banned has ever been reinstated.