MLB: Pete Rose talks Hall of Fame, Ichiro at minor league game

On the eve of this year’s Hall of Fame induction, former MLB star Pete Rose was at a minor league game, meeting fans and discussing an array of topics.

Even though Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred all but extinguished Pete Rose‘s reinstatement hopes, we can’t seem to stop talking about the all-time hit king. Mainly because Rose himself is never shy about the spotlight and always has something to say.

The big league legend made a promotional appearance before Thursday evening’s Rochester Red Wings game. The Red Wings are the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. With MLB’s permission, Rose did an interview on the field prior to the start of the game, along with a “ceremonial first swing,” according to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.

He also signed autographs for the over 200 fans willing to meet the $50 asking price for a signed ball or photo. For $125, he posed for pictures. The simple economics of a life in baseball exile.

Rose’s interactions were strictly limited to the fans and press, however. He was barred from entering the dugout or clubhouse, effectively eliminating his exposure to any impressionable young minor leaguers. Or something like that.

The players were still very much aware of his presence, though, and for some it was a genuine thrill to know that the 24-year major leaguer stopped by Frontier Field. “It was definitely cool just to have him here. We didn’t get to interact with him but he’s Pete Rose; it’s awesome,” said Wings outfielder Adam Brett Walker.

With Hall of Fame weekend about to begin in Cooperstown, New York, this is surely an awkward time of year for Rose. But as always, he will fervently argue that he belongs in that hallowed company despite his 1989 ban for gambling:

"“The more living Hall of Famers you have walking around this country, the better off your sport is, because they’re selling the sport that was so good to them. I can’t control what they’re going to do.”"

If it’s any consolation, Rose did get inducted into different Hall of Fame last month. He officially entered the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony on June 25, joined by his former Big Red Machine teammates Johnny Bench and Tony Perez.

Rose is also only too happy to expound upon his myriad on-field accomplishments. He proudly refers to himself as the “record-holder of records,” although some have called into question his most famous lifetime mark in light of Ichiro Suzuki‘s recent journey up the all-time hits ladder. Ichiro, now only four hits away from the revered 3,000 milestone, passed Rose last month with his 4,257th career hit when you combine his totals from Japan and the United States.

It’s a multi-sided debate that ultimately comes down to your personal point of view, but Rose comes prepared with plenty of reasons why he’s still at the top of the list:

"“That’d be like comparing the European basketball players to the NBA. Ichiro’s no question a Hall of Famer. But if Sadaharu Oh had come here and hit one home run, he’d be the home run king? Why don’t they add my professional hits in the minor leagues?”"

All valid points, to be sure, but this is one of many baseball disputes that simply hinges on how you want to see things. To some, Ichiro is a more agreeable record-holder than the disgraced Rose. Others have seen a decades-long effort to marginalize Rose and his accomplishments.

Next: Griffey, Piazza took different routes to Hall

One thing is for certain: there are still plenty of fans who will go out of their way to see Rose and spend good money to take home his signature. With the doors to the Hall of Fame remaining shut, he will have to content himself with a baseball existence lived on the fringes.