C. Trent Rosecrans

crosecrans@enquirer.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Reds will be allowed to include Pete Rose in All-Star Game festivities next season, even if it is on a limited basis, commissioner Bud Selig said Tuesday.

Speaking exclusively to the Baseball Writers Association of America on Tuesday, baseball's outgoing commissioner was asked if Rose would be allowed to be included in All-Star celebrations next year when Cincinnati hosts the game.

"That'll be up to the Cincinnati club, and they know what they can do and they can't do," Selig said. "They've been very good about that. We haven't had that discussion."

Rose, banned from baseball in 1989, has been officially recognized twice at Great American Ball Park -- in 2010 on the 25th anniversary of his record-breaking 4,192nd hit and last season at the dedication of the statue of Big Red Machine teammate Joe Morgan, when the entire "Great Eight" was honored.

Selig would not answer a question about specific guidelines the Reds would have to follow.

"It's sort of subjective, they've done some things with Pete, but they've been very, very thoughtful and limited," Selig said. "That's a subject that I'm sure they'll discuss in the next year. They're all here, but that's not a subject that's come up."

As for Rose's overall status with Selig, who is scheduled to step aside at the end of the year, the commissioner said there has been no change in Rose's status.

"It's a matter under advisement. That's my standard line," Selig said. "I'm the judge and that's where it'll stay. There's nothing new."

However, the role of Rose becomes a bigger issue with the All-Star Game coming to Cincinnati in 2015.

Every All-Star Game is a celebration of not just Major League Baseball, but baseball's history in the host city. Here in Minneapolis, many former Twins -- the likes of Tony Oliva and Frank Viola -- to native Minnesotans like Dave Winfield and Jack Morris -- have been part of festivities, from throwing out first pitches, to autograph signings and appearances. Two years ago in Kansas City, Royals legend George Brett was a spokesman for the city and the All-Star Game following the final out of the 2011 All-Star Game in Arizona.

How do you tell the story of baseball in Cincinnati or the story of the Cincinnati Reds without Rose?

"You don't," Reds owner Bob Castellini told The Enquirer on Tuesday.

"We plan on using him wherever Major League Baseball is comfortable with, but we're certainly going to include him," Castellini said.

PETE'S PAST APPEARANCES

If Pete Rose is permitted to take part in on-field ceremonies in connection with the 2015 All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park, it wouldn't be the first time since Rose accepted a lifetime ban in 1989 that he's taken the field:

Joe Morgan statue dedication

When: Sept. 7, 2013

Back story: The Reds' "Great Eight" (Rose, Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, Ken Griffey Sr. and Davey Concepcion) reunited for the unveiling of a statue of Morgan at Great American. Morgan said he had approached Selig during Hall of Fame weekend about Rose's participation, and the commissioner agreed.

Rose said: "I appreciate Joe asking, and I appreciate Bud saying yes."

25th anniversary of Rose's 4,192nd hit

When: Sept. 11, 2010

Back story: Allowed to take the field but not to address the crowd as part of ceremonies commemorating the hit that broke Ty Cobb's record, Rose stomped on the first-base bag as fireworks exploded above Great American Ball Park. The following night at Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, Rose issued a teary apology to teammates, many of whom were moved.

Rose said: "I couldn't have wrote a script any better. Just like the night I broke the record. The Reds are in first place now, and I enjoyed shaking hands with Mr. Castellini."

Baseball's All-Century team

When: Oct. 24, 1999

Back story: Rose was allowed to appear at the World Series in Atlanta as part of Major League Baseball's All-Century Team. In an interview on the field afterward, NBC reporter Jim Gray asked Rose about betting on baseball and refused to drop the subject. "Are you willing to show contrition, admit that you bet on baseball and make some kind of apology to that effect?" Gray asked. Rose didn't, of course, but later would admit in a book to betting on baseball.

Rose said: "I'm surprised you're bombarding me like this. I'm doing the interview with you on a great night, a great occasion. ... Everybody seems to be in a good mood, and you're bringing up something that happened 10 years ago."