It’s Fair If They Suspend Umpire Too, Rose Says

Pete Rose said Sunday he would accept a suspension as fair only if one was also given to umpire Dave Pallone, who was chased from the field by debris-throwing fans after a confrontation with the Cincinnati Reds manager.

Hundreds of unruly fans among a crowd of 41,032 forced Pallone off the field Saturday night by hurling baseballs, golf balls and radios from the stands near the end of the New York Mets’ 6-5 victory over the Reds.

The fans were angry because, with the game tied 5-5 and two out in the ninth, Pallone called Mookie Wilson safe at first base, permitting Howard Johnson to score from second with the winning run.

Rose clearly pushed the umpire, but contended he had been provoked by Pallone’s finger jabbing his left cheek.

“I pushed him and I was wrong,” Rose said Sunday. “But if he doesn’t touch me, I don’t touch him.”