MLB notes: Pete Rose, 3 other Reds honored on field before All-Star Game

Pete Rose came home for the All-Star Game and made a rare on-field appearance in the place where he’s still treated like a king.

The hits king was voted one of Cincinnati’s Franchise Four players as part of a Major League Baseball promotion. Rose and Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Barry Larkin and Joe Morgan were introduced on the field at Great American Ball Park before the All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

The 74-year-old Rose was last out of the A.L. dugout. Fans started chanting “Pete! Pete!” when they saw him reach the top step, wearing a red jacket and tie.

He always gets a good reception in his hometown. This one was a bit more subdued than usual – home run derby champion Todd Frazier got a more raucous cheer, and the boos for Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina were louder, as well.

Even so, Rose acknowledged it was emotional. “The only bad thing about being out there: I didn’t get no at-bats,” Rose told reporters afterward. “I wish I had gotten a couple of at-bats. The fans were wonderful.

“I’ve been going through this love affair for 30 years. The fans are great.”

What’s next for Rose? He still has no idea.

Rose was banned for betting on baseball in 1989 and has a longstanding application for reinstatement pending. Commissioner Rob Manfred said on Tuesday that he hasn’t yet scheduled a meeting with Rose to discuss it.

“I frankly was surprised at how much material there was to be reviewed,” Manfred said. “We’re taking a fresh look at all of that. I remain committed to the idea that Mr. Rose deserves an opportunity to tell me in whatever format he feels most comfortable, whatever he wants me to know about the issues. And I’m sure there will be an in-person meeting.”

On other topics, Manfred said:

• The league is evaluating cities interested in having a major league team. He declined to identify those cities.

“I think we are a growth business,” Manfred said.

• The average time of a game is down nine minutes from last year, the largest decrease from one season to the next since 1965.

• The league would not mandate fan safety improvements before next season, but clubs are free to add netting before then if they choose.

• He would be open to shortening the season but the loss of ticket sales and television revenue would make a schedule with fewer games problematic.

• The league expects to announce a long-promised domestic-violence policy “shortly.”

• Umpires calling balls and strikes from behind home plate will not be replaced any time soon.

“We are a ways away from the technology to call balls and strikes,” he said.