Rose book publication moved up to Jan. 8

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The publication date of Pete Rose's new autobiography has been moved up two months to January.

Rodale Inc., which is publishing My Prison Without Bars, said Wednesday the book will go on sale Jan. 8. The book was written with Rick Hill.

The publication date is two days after the announcement of 2004 Hall of Fame inductees. Rose is ineligible for the Hall of Fame ballot because of the lifetime ban from baseball he agreed to in 1989 following an investigation of his gambling.

The former Cincinnati Reds player and manager applied for reinstatement in 1997. Commissioner Bud Selig, who met with Rose on Nov. 25 last year, has not ruled on the request.

Rose's first autobiography, Pete Rose: My Story, was issued by Macmillan Publishing Co. in 1989, 2 1/2 months after Rose agreed to ban. That book, written with Roger Kahn, maintained Rose's position that baseball's investigation was tainted and he never bet on baseball games.

Hill is a writer and director in the Los Angeles area. His credits include the movie "The Longshot," which was based on the life of baseball player Jim Eisenreich.