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Time turns Selig around on Rose

NEW YORK -- There were standing ovations at World Series games and chants of "Pete! Pete!" at Cooperstown.

But time itself -- 13 years -- may have done more to change Bud Selig's mind about talking to Pete Rose and possibly ending the hit king's lifetime ban from baseball.

The negotiations between Rose and the commissioner have been going on for more than a year. The talks, which had been secret until this week, became public after a meeting between Rose and Selig last month in Milwaukee.

The Associated Press reported that the sides appeared to be working toward a deal in recent weeks, but no agreement had been reached to end the ban, which Rose agreed to in August 1989 following an investigation of his gambling.

Selig wants Rose to admit he bet on baseball as part of any agreement, and Rose has been pushed to make the admission by Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Mike Schmidt. Schmidt attended the meeting last month.

Selig has long opposed an end to the ban but allowed talks to start around the time of the 2001 World Series, reportedly softening over the passage of time.

Reinstatement would make Rose eligible for the Hall of Fame, and that mere possibility angered Hall member Bob Feller, a fellow Ohioan 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."

In addition to becoming eligible for the Hall ballot, an end to the ban would allow the former Reds manager to work for a team.

Rose raised the possibility of managing the Reds again in June when a Hamilton County Commissioner gave him a tour of the Great American Ball Park, which opens in April.

Reds chief operating officer John Allen said the team hasn't considered the possibility.

NAME CHANGE? Pac Bell Park or SBC Park?

SBC Communications Inc. has decided to use its name on everything it owns. And because it owns Pacific Bell, that means the Giants stadium could have a new name.

"Clearly, we want to see the stadium reflect our new brand, and we'll work with the Giants on it," SBC spokesman John Britton said. "The name on the outside won't impact what's inside at all."

In 1996, Pacific Bell agreed to pay $53-million to put its name in big red letters over the ballpark's entrance. That contract was supposed to last through 2019.

BLUE JAYS: Catcher Greg Myers agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract.

BREWERS: Shortstop Royce Clayton agreed to a one-year contract that guarantees him $1.75-million. If he is a regular starter, he could earn up to $6-million over two years.

CUBS: Catcher Damian Miller, acquired last month in a trade with the Diamondbacks, signed a two-year, $5.7-million deal.

GIANTS: Jeff Kent is interested in returning, and general manager Brian Sabean believes there's a 50-50 chance. Sabean spoke Tuesday with the star second baseman, who has been offered arbitration. Kent is discussing a long-term deal with several teams.

ORIOLES: Right-hander Scott Erickson will rehabilitate a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He is expected to be ready for spring training.

REDS: Former Rays outfielder Jose Guillen agreed to a $500,000, one-year deal, avoiding arbitration.

YANKEES: Joe Torre knows the team's payroll is likely to go down next year, and the manager said the new labor agreement is the cause. New York's payroll was about $135-million this season, by far the highest in the majors, and owner George Steinbrenner wants it to go down. "It's going to be something less than what we had, I guess. It was aimed at George, and they're going to get their pound of flesh," Torre said.

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