Selig-Rose Talks Make Feller Mad

Commissioner Bud Selig’s discussions with Pete Rose regarding reinstatement has angered one former Hall of Famer.

Reinstatement would make Rose eligible for the Hall of Fame, and that mere possibility angered Hall member Bob Feller, who has been vocal in his opposition to ending the ban.

“It’s a publicity stunt by him and his people,” Feller said Wednesday. “I’m tired of talking about it. I’m fed up. He’s history.”

Feller was among a group of Hall of Famers who threatened to walk out of ceremonies at Cooperstown in 2000 if Reds’ broadcaster Marty Brennaman had used his induction speech to campaign for Rose. Brennaman made a brief but impassioned plea on Rose’s behalf, but the group of veterans remained.

Yankee Manager Joe Torre said Wednesday night that Rose should admit his mistakes.

“I certainly hope he can get together with Bud Selig and work this out,” Torre said. “He belongs in baseball. He has too much to offer. He’s such a great PR person for the game.”

Reinstating Rose is only one of the initiatives Selig is considering, according to the baseball officials. He is thinking of having the league that wins the All-Star game gain home-field advantage for that year’s World Series, moving one World Series game per year to daytime, and moving the start of the World Series from a Saturday to a Thursday.

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