Pete Rose may be reinstated as early as 2004...

[The Brain]

... according to an article from <a href=http://premium.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2194 target=_blank>Baseball Prospectus</a>. Pete Rose may finally strike the deal in which he admits to gambling on baseball, apologizes more profusely than 420 after making fun of a chick, and becomes eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame by 2006 (which is within 20 years of his retirement-- otherwise, the Veterans Committee will have to vote him in). In addition, he will probably accept a management position within the Cincinatti Reds' organization.

Naturally, Selig and MLB <a href=http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/6516494.htm target=_blank>immediatley began denying this report</a>, but it's most likely because actual negotiations haven't concluded.

<b>EDIT:</b>

The Baseball Prospectus article hints that the agreement may actually get Rose back into baseball <i>without any admission of guilt</i>, but I think we can all agree that any negotiation which will allow Rose to come back to baseball would have to include an admission of wrongdoing on his part. Also, he would not be able to accept a managerial position until 2005, and only if Selig approves it, which is doubtful. He would be able to accept other non-managerial job positions in baseball upon reinstatement.