Tommy Lasorda, for one, isn't behind a possible reinstatement for Pete Rose.

In an interview in the April issue of Details magazine, Lasorda was his usual outspoken self, saying Rose must pay the price for his actions.

"If (Pete Rose) is caught betting on his own team he has to suffer the consequences. That's the rule." Lasorda says in the magazine's upcoming April issue.

Lasorda added: "In every clubhouse the rules are posted on the door, and they specifically state: If you are caught betting on baseball, it is a one-year suspension. If you are caught betting on your own team, it is life. If he's caught betting on his own team he has to suffer the consequences. That's the rule. It's not my rule. It's the rule. And it's not a rule the government can change. It's a baseball rule. It's been that way since the 1919 Black Sox threw the World Series. That's the way it has to be."

Lasorda also addresses the comparison of being a great manager vs. being a lackluster player, and says that one of baseball's current problems is the lack of parity. He also said he wanted to make it clear that no matter what New Yorkers say, "Los Angeles is the sports capital of the world, and you can put that in big letters."

"A number of teams will go to spring training this year knowing they can't win," Lasorda said.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig confirmed on March 13 that he is actively considering Pete Rose's application for reinstatement.

Selig wouldn't put a timetable on a decision and didn't hint which way he was leaning, but his remarks following a speech to sports business executives were his most detailed public statements on Rose since he met with the career hits leader on Nov. 25.

Rose agreed to a lifetime ban from baseball in August 1989 following an investigation of his gambling and applied for reinstatement in September 1997. Until last fall, Selig repeatedly said he saw no reason to alter the punishment that Rose accepted from commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti.

In recent months, Selig has refused comment when asked about Rose.

"Bart gave Pete the right to apply for reinstatement," Selig said. "I kept it on my desk for 5½ years. I think it was time to at least consider that."

As long as Rose is banned from baseball, he is ineligible for the Hall of Fame ballot. Selig said the commissioner's office wasn't concerned with that issue, and that it was solely up to the Hall of Fame board.

Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, intends to meet with Rose's business manager, Warren Greene, later this month, and Rose may attend that meeting.

Baseball officials have said Selig doesn't intend to make a decision for Opening Day. However, he may allow Rose to participate in ceremonies to open Cincinnati's new ballpark on March 31. Rose was granted permission to participate in an on-field sponsor's promotion prior to World Series games in 1999 and last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.