THE PETE ROSE DECISION : Legal Opinion : THE ROSE TEXT

The statement of former Cincinnati Red manager Pete Rose on being banned from baseball Thursday:

“I’d like to apologize for this controversy lingering on into the ’89 season. I hope it didn’t detract from the championship season of the 12 teams in the National League and I hope it didn’t detract from the All-Star game. I know now it won’t detract from the upcoming playoffs and the showcase of baseball, the World Series.

“I made some mistakes and I think I’m being punished for those mistakes. However, the settlement is fair--especially the wording that says they have no finding that I bet on baseball. It’s something I told the commissioner back in February and it’s something I’ve told you people the last four months.

“My only regret up to this time is I will not have the opportunity to tell my side of the story. However, I would add, I will tell my side of the story in the very near future.

“I’d like to thank you people, as members of the media, for understanding me as a player, for trying to understand me as a manager. I’m hoping that you would give the guy that replaces me the benefit of the doubt as he takes over a very young, banged up baseball team.

“My life is baseball. I hope to get back into baseball as soon as I possibly can. I’m looking forward to that. As a matter of fact, I’ve never looked forward to a birthday like I’m looking forward to my new daughter’s birthday, ‘cause two days after that is when I can apply for reinstatement.”