Rose acknowledges betting ‘on my team every night’

Pete Rose bet on the Cincinnati Reds “every night” when he managed them and, despite his lifetime ban because of gambling, would like another chance in a major league dugout.

“I bet on my team every night. I didn’t bet on my team four nights a week,” Rose said Wednesday on “The Dan Patrick Show” on ESPN Radio.

“I bet on my team to win every night because I love my team, I believe in my team,” he said. “I did everything in my power every night to win that game.”

In an interview, the banned Rose said he thinks he should be reinstated because “I believe I’m the best ambassador baseball has.”

He hopes a new exhibit in Cincinnati is a sign baseball will soften its stance toward him.

If reinstated, Rose, 65, said he would like to again manage in the majors.

The career hits leader also said he supported Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, who fell far short in his first time on the Hall of Fame ballot amid steroid allegations.

“Don’t penalize McGwire because you think other guys are taking steroids,” Rose said.

Rose, who also said he would be displeased if reinstatement did not also include becoming eligible for the Hall of Fame, was managing the Reds in 1989 when he agreed to a lifetime ban after an investigation of his gambling.

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Center fielder Jim Edmonds and right fielder Juan Encarnacion are likely to be on the disabled list when the St. Louis Cardinals start the defense of their World Series title, the team said.

Edmonds is coming off foot and shoulder surgery and Encarnacion is recovering from an operation on his left wrist.

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Second baseman Brian Roberts, 29, agreed to a $14.3-million, two-year contract extension with the Baltimore Orioles.