JURY OF HIS CHEERS : Cincinnati Fans at Red-Dodger Game Applaud Rose’s Courthouse Victory

Fans outside Riverfront Stadium expressed support for Pete Rose Sunday, a couple of hours after he was spared an appearance today before baseball Commissioner Bart Giamatti concerning alleged gambling by the Cincinnati Reds’ manager.

“He is entitled to due process just like everyone else,” said Ron Guffee of Louisville, Ky. “Let’s let him have it.”

Guffee and other fans were interviewed as they arrived for a game between the Reds and the Dodgers. Earlier, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Norbert A. Nadel upheld Rose’s request that a hearing before Giamatti be put on hold.

Nadel ruled that the commissioner prejudged Rose and that a hearing would be futile.

Joseph Tomain, a University of Cincinnati contracts professor, said he was surprised by that aspect of the judge’s finding.

“I think he went further than he had to go,” Tomain said. “I understood him to say on his last point that Giamatti was prejudiced . . . and that really should have been the issue at the preliminary hearing (in two weeks).”

Tomain said the ramifications of the decision on professional sports will not be known for some time.

“I think it’s going to take some time before we know whether this intrusion is a permanent one,” he said. “This thing will really have to run its course before we know.”

Legal arguments aside, the outcome at the courthouse pleased fans at the stadium. Rose grew up in Cincinnati and played most of his career with the Reds.

“I’m glad about what the judge did,” said Dougie Fresh of Cincinnati. “Giamatti has made up his mind, there’s no question. I think they should leave the man alone.”

He said his opinion of Rose has not changed, despite allegations that Rose bet on baseball--a violation that could mean banishment from the sport.

Bo Hussey of Charlotte, N.C., said he was pleased with Nadel’s ruling.

“They haven’t proven anything,” Hussey said. “He’s an innocent man until proven otherwise.”

Inside the stadium, faithful fans put up--then were asked to take down--banners in support of Rose.

One banner, which proclaimed “Pete 1, Bart 0. Thanks Norb,” was taken down at the request of stadium officials.

Even outside the courthouse where Nadel ruled, Rose fans were in evidence.

Jerry (Wuz) Davidson, clad in an Uncle Sam outfit, strode back and forth atop a wall outside the courthouse, waving a huge sign that called for Nadel to “Free Mr. Baseball.”

“Judge Nadel, Judge Nadel,” he bellowed, raising his arms toward the fifth floor, where the ruling was to be announced. “Cut Pete a break. He has the gambling disease.”

Nearby, Fifi Rockefeller, a courthouse regular, echoed this sentiment. But she corrected Davidson as to whom his plea for Rose should be addressed.

“Don’t pray to the judge; pray to God,” she said. “He’s got more power than a judge.”