FORT MITCHELL — Pete Rose had one of those famous, slightly crooked Pete Rose smiles on his face Thursday night as he jokingly pictured himself in the political arena.

        “I wonder what would happen if I ran for office back here,” the Cincinnati native and former Reds player and manager said during an interview at a political fund- raiser at the Drawbridge Inn and Convention Center. “I could probably do OK, but I'd have to move back here.”

        Lawyer Eric Deters held a fund-raiser Thursday in his bid for Kenton County attorney in an election two years from now, but there was no doubt just about everyone in the Drawbridge's London Hall wanted to see and be seen with Pete Rose.

        Baseball's all-time hit leader — the man who made No.14 and head-first slides famous — was the main attraction at a private $500-a-head reception from 5 to 6 p.m. and a $5-a-head open reception from 6 to 8 p.m. that drew about 300 people (kids free).

        “I met Eric (Deters) several years ago in an autograph deal,” Mr. Rose said. “I found him to be honest and sincere, and later we had other dealings in his capacity as an attorney and we became friends.

        “When he asked me to help him, I said I would. But it's a personal appearance, not an endorsement. I don't even know his opponent. But if I can help him, that's great.”

        The event featured beer and soft drinks, hot dogs and brats, peanuts and Mr. Rose, who mentioned how much he likes brats and his surprise that there were so many left at the end of the evening.

        Not surprisingly, the former National League all-star wanted to talk about his fa vorite subject, baseball.

        Asked if he was aware that Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig was in town Wednesday for the groundbreaking at the $330 million Great American Ball Park, Mr. Rose replied, “No, not really. I came on the red-eye (flight) from Los Angeles last night. It wouldn't make any difference, anyway.”

        Mr. Rose was banned from baseball for life for betting, and Mr. Selig has steadfastly refused to reinstate him and make him eligible for the Hall of Fame.

        “I don't think (Mr. Selig) likes to go many places where there are Cincinnati fans, because they don't like him,” Mr. Rose said. “He gets booed when he shows up, and that is not the way it should be. You can't like that. But he could rectify that by doing the right thing where I'm concerned.”

        As Mr. Rose recalled his days growing up in the Riverside/Sedamsville area and attending Western Hills High School — “Remember those great Thanksgiving Day football games between West High and Elder?” he asked — a steady stream of adults and children came by to shake his hand and have their picture taken with the man who many still consider a hometown hero.

        He said he thought Cincinnati baseball fans would get “a really nice new ballpark,” and he also wondered if there was any word locally about the next Reds' manager.

        Someone said Johnny Bench as a possibility, and Mr. Rose's eyes went wide at the mention of the Hall of Fame catcher who has been outspoken in his dislike for Mr. Rose and his belief that Mr. Rose should not be in the Hall of Fame.

        “Well,” Mr. Rose said, “that would probably work, because by the time the new ballpark is ready to open the Reds would be ready for a new manager after a couple of years of him.”

        Mr. Rose, who splits much of his time between his Los Angeles home and businesses in Florida, is known to receive as much as $25,000 for an appearance. He was paid for his visit here Thursday night, but neither he nor Mr. Deters wanted to discuss the figure.

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