Rose Weighs In On Bud Selig, Steroid Scandal

Despite years of being denied entry into the Hall of Fame, Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader says he holds no ill will towards Commissioner Bud Selig.

Pete Rose weighed in on these and other topics in Urbana on Friday night, the featured guest at a fundraiser for the Tom Jones Challenger League.

Rose was banned from the game in 1989 due to gambling, but he said he has not given up on Selig.  Rose said he likes the commissioner, and does not believe Selig’s 2014 retirement is a good thing just for his sake.

The record-setter known as ‘Charlie Hustle’ called Selig a fair man.

“It’s a tough job being a commissioner, and surprised that he’s lasted even this long, because there’s got to be a lot of sleepless nights, and he’s done a good job," he said. "The playoff system is really working, and he’s trying to clean up the world of baseball as far as drugs, so I take my hat off to him.”

Rose said he does not like to harp on the issue of steroids - saying the positives in the game outweigh stories like that of New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez, who sued Major League Baseball this week stemming from his alleged steriod use.

“There’s too many good positive stories that we have to waste time on A-Rod, and he’s suing baseball today," he said. "Who’s he going to sue tomorrow? A-Rod is a friend of mine, but enough is enough.”

Rose said he cannot blame anyone else for his mistakes, but added he would be the happiest guy in the world if given another shot at Cooperstown.

The Tom Jones Challenger League provides baseball facilities to handicapped children.