Rose's lawyer surprised by Selig statement

NEW YORK (AP) -- Pete Rose's lawyer was jolted when commissioner Bud Selig made clear this week he is unlikely to reinstate baseball's career hits leader. "We were very surprised and disappointed,"

Friday, February 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) -- Pete Rose's lawyer was jolted when commissioner Bud Selig made clear this week he is unlikely to reinstate baseball's career hits leader. "We were very surprised and disappointed," S. Gary Spicer said Thursday, a day after Selig made his remarks on Rose to a group in Madison, Wis. "We do not have any idea why Bud Selig would issue this quote when we are adhering to the time frame that was agreed upon at ou rmeeting with Bob DuPuy."

Rose, who agreed to a lifetime ban in August 1989 following an investigation of his gambling, applied for reinstatement inSeptember 1997, but Selig hasn't officially ruled on it. DuPuy, Selig's top lawyer, met Jan. 27 with Spicer and Roger Makley, another Rose lawyer, and gave them 30 days to submit additional information. "We have not been advised by anyone that we should not submit the materials," said Spicer, who intends to mail it next week. "We would expect a fairly quick response. I mean, the matter has been going on for 10 years."

Baseball officials, speaking on the condition they not be identified, have said in recent weeks that because of pressure from Rose, Selig is likely to finally rule on the application and reject it. Selig has said many times he agreed with the decision by commissioner A. Barlett Giamatti to press for the lifetime ban. "There is not a scintilla of give in that area," Selig said Wednesday to the Rotary Club of Madison, referring to baseball's determination to keep gambling out of the sport. "Pete did accept a voluntary lifetime suspension from Dr. Giamatti. There hasn't been any new evidence since then. I think just from my answer, you'll understand my depth of feeling on this subject."

Rose, who wants to manage again in the major leagues, has said several times that he may sue if he isn't reinstated, even though the agreement he signed says "he will not institute any legal proceedings of any nature against the commissioner or any of his representatives, either major league or any major league club."

Spicer wouldn't address possible litigation. "We would like to hold on anything along those lines until we've got notification from the commissioner's office," he said. Rose says the evidence gathered in 1989 by investigator John Dowd doesn't prove he bet on baseball and has gotten experts who say Dowd's evidence is wrong or inconclusive.

As long as he's permanently banned, Rose is ineligible for the Hall of Fame ballot. Selig did allow Rose to participate in an on-field ceremony at last October's World Series honoring baseball's All-Century team, and Rose got the longest ovation. However, Selig won't let Rose appear at a ceremony this summer honoring the 25th anniversary of the Cincinnati Reds' 1975 World Series title. "It would be good for the fan, good for Pete, good for baseball if they would reinstate him," Spicer said.