Selig Will Address Rose Issue Soon

Growing public support for Pete Rose won’t influence Commissioner Bud Selig regarding Rose’s lifetime ban, but Selig, for the first time Tuesday, said he will address the situation soon.

Fans have expressed support for Rose since the all-time hit leader was banned for gambling in 1989, and Rose received the loudest ovation among the 30 players selected to the all-century team honored Sunday before Game 2 of the World Series at Turner Field.

What’s more, NBC reporter Jim Gray stirred nationwide sympathy for Rose during a contentious on-field interview shortly after the team had been introduced.

Gray on Tuesday night issued an on-air apology before Game 3.

“After viewing the videotape, I can understand the reaction of many baseball fans,” said Gray, who had said Monday he felt no need to apologize. “I thought that it was important to ask Pete Rose if this was the right moment for him to make an apology.

“If in doing so, the interview went on too long and took out some of the joy of the occasion, then I want to say to baseball fans everywhere that I’m very sorry about this.”

Rose told Gray he was “surprised you’re bombarding me like this on such a festive occasion.”

After Game 3 Tuesday, the Yankees’ Chad Curtis refused to be interviewed by Gray following his game-winning home run.

In a conference call with reporters Monday, Gray said his questions shouldn’t have surprised Rose because other reporters asked the same things at a news conference shortly before.

Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Sports, backed Gray by calling him “the best TV sports reporter of his generation.” However, Ebersol said he thought the interview “probably went too long.”

Asked why Gray decided to issue the apology, NBC spokesman Ed Markey said Tuesday night from Yankee Stadium that it was because Gray hadn’t seen the videotape when he made his comments the day before.

Speaking before Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, Selig expressed disappointment that Rose’s situation has overshadowed the Series.

“First of all, the ceremony the other night was very moving, and I left there [Turner Field] feeling good about what happened,” Selig said. “Then I heard about the interview, and I am disappointed about the timing.

“But one thing that’s true in any setting is that you can’t let that [public sentiment] influence anything. You have to do what you think is right. You can’t be guided by what X number of people think.”

After previously declining to discuss his plans regarding Rose’s appeal, Selig said he will revisit the divisive issue during the next few months. However, Selig is not expected to reinstate Rose.

“I don’t know if I have a time frame, but like every situation, it must be addressed,” Selig said. “It will be in a few months, but it’s not the kind of thing I want to discuss publicly. I’ve been clear about that all along.”

Selig opened the door for the latest Rose controversy, permitting him to join the all-century team if elected by fans and a selection committee despite being banned. Selig does not regret the decision.

“I’m the one who made that decision this summer,” Selig said. “I took a long walk and I decided that if the fans elected him, he should be there because it’s an election after all.”

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Before Jim Gray’s apology, Howard Rosenberg criticized NBC reporter. Calendar