Pete Rose Jr. Gets OK From Dad

Pete Rose Jr. is willing to play regular-season games as a strikebreaker and has permission from his father, baseball’s career hits leader.

“He’s a kid who has been struggling in the minor leagues and all he wants to do is play baseball,” Rose told the New York Times on Tuesday. “Now he’s supposed to go home and not play because the major league players are on strike? How can I ask him to do that?”

Rose Jr., 25, a third baseman, has never played higher than Class A in six seasons.

“This isn’t about being in A ball, and it isn’t about the money,” the younger Rose said. “I’m doing this to get where they’re at. I want to be in their union. I’m doing this to get better, doing it for my career. If someone wants to resent me--if they want to call me this or that--fine. I’ve been called a lot worse by a lot lesser people. This is a cakewalk compared to the other stuff I’ve been through. “