TUCSON - Pete Rose is baseball's all-time hit king.

But he sure can swing and miss in real life.

The more he talks, the more he distances himself from any real chance to be reinstated by Major League Baseball and be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, which is his ultimate desire.

For 15 years, he adamantly denied accusations he bet on baseball, even though he agreed to a lifetime ban because of his gambling problems. Slightly more than three years ago, he had a book published in which he admitted to betting on baseball but denied betting on the team he managed, the Cincinnati Reds.

So now what happens? This week, Rose admits to betting on the Reds and saying he bet on every game he managed. He says everything John Dowd included in his investigation about Rose's gambling problem was true.

Earth to Pete: Dowd specifically said you did not bet on every game the Reds played. That was even more concerning than if you bet on them all because by not betting on the Reds, the inference to the bookies was that Rose didn't feel they could win a game.

Dowd's report indicated Rose avoided betting on the Reds when Mario Soto and Bill Gullickson pitched because he had no confidence in them.

And if this is Rose's latest attempt to convince commissioner Bud Selig he is sorry for his actions and should be reinstated, he struck out again. While Rose admitted betting on the team he managed, at no point does he express regret or concern about his addiction.

Rose also needs to realize that if he were reinstated, his Hall of Fame candidacy would be decided by his peers. He has passed the time frame to be placed on the Baseball Writers Association of America ballot - the sixth through 20th year after retirement.

The writers most likely would be more forgiving of Rose's transgressions than the Hall of Fame players, who understand nothing can shred the integrity of the game more than gambling.

Overheard

• Right-hander Mark Prior is struggling in his bid to claim the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation. The edge, so far, goes to Wade Miller or Angel Guzman. Prior allowed seven runs, eight hits and five walks in his first 3 1/3 innings, and his third appearance of spring training was in a minor league intrasquad game.

• Florida's search for a closer has it sending scouts to check every available reliever, including Jorge Julio of Arizona and Armando Benitez of San Francisco.

• Jay Payton has won the left field job in Baltimore with Aubrey Huff claiming first base.

Readers' turn

Brian Maher writes, "Am I correct that in its recent vote, the Veterans Committee of the Hall of Fame did not have the option of admitting Buck O'Neil to the hall? I'm still outraged that so fine a gentleman, who gave so much to the game and was one of its most memorable and tireless ambassadors, was snubbed. As a longtime pro, do you think he merits induction, or am I being overly sentimental (and what is baseball if not sentimental)? Is there anything to be done?"

Brian, there is not a classification that fits Buck on the Veterans Committee ballot. He did not have the playing career nor was he an owner, umpire or general manager.

He was one of the game's great ambassadors, much like Roland Hemond. The Hall of Fame was hopeful Buck would be elected in the final group of Negro League players who were enshrined last summer. Buck, in fact, headed the committee to select those players but somehow came up one vote short.

To ensure Buck's memory is always a part of Cooperstown, I wouldn't be surprised to see the creation of a Buck O'Neil award that would be given by the Hall of Fame for service to the game, similar to the honoring of a writer and broadcaster each year.

For Tracy Ringolsby's response to other questions or to submit your own question, please check out the Rockies blog at Rocky MountainNews.com/rockies.

Two cents' worth

The Rockies have precedent on their side in avoiding a suspension of manager Clint Hurdle or pitcher Jeff Francis for their roles in the beanball battle with San Diego this week.

Last weekend, Boston's Josh Beckett hit two Detroit batters, resulting in Tigers reliever Todd Jones throwing a pitch behind the back of Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew. Jones and manager Jim Leyland were ejected. They since have been fined but not suspended.

MILE HIGH WATCH

A weekly look at the position battles of spring training:

• CATCHER: Rookie Chris Iannetta was endorsed as the No. 1 catcher with the release of Javy Lopez. Yorvit Torrealba will be the backup, which figures to mean catching two or three games a week, unless the Rockies swing a deal for a veteran catcher from another team, such as Jose Molina from the Angels.

• SHORTSTOP: Rookie Troy Tulowitzki has reinforced the belief he is ready to make the jump to the majors, which figures to leave Clint Barmes traded or playing every day at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

• CENTER FIELDER: There never has been a question about Willy Taveras as the No. 1 center fielder, but Steve Finley has come to spring training and laid claim to the backup job over Cory Sullivan, who has options, meaning he, too, can go to Colorado Springs unless a deal is made.

• 25TH MAN: John Mabry was signed because of the desire to have a proven left-handed bat on the bench and has reinforced his ability to do that job, which would seem to give him an edge over Ryan Spilborghs, Sullivan and Alexis Gomez. The versatility of Jamey Carroll and Jeff Baker gives the Rockies the option of the luxury of carrying a pinch-hit specialist.

• ROTATION: Rookie Jason Hirsh has all but wrapped up the fourth spot in the rotation, leaving Josh Fogg and Byung-Hyun Kim to contend for the fifth slot. It could come down to whether the Rockies can trade Kim, whose $2.5 million contract is guaranteed. Fogg has a salary of $3,625,000, but it's not guaranteed, so he could be released and the Rockies would be liable for $906,250.

• BULLPEN: With the move of Taylor Buchholz to the bullpen, the alignment seems set, but Matt Herges could force a reconsideration. Problem is of the four right-handers - Buchholz, LaTroy Hawkins, Ramon Ramirez and Manny Corpas - Corpas is the only one who can be sent to the minors without going through waivers.

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com

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