Rose was in Dayton last week for a speaking engagement. The night before the event he touched on a number of topics during an interview at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton:

Q What do you think of the 2009 Cincinnati Reds ?

A They aren't as good this year as they were last year (74-88, fifth place). They didn't do anything this winter to really help themselves. They acquired a catcher (Ramon Hernandez) who hit .257. Stevie Wonder could hit .230.

They need to put some money in pitching, get a left-hander. They don't even have a left-hander in the rotation. I told (owner) Bob Castellini a couple of years ago to sign as much pitching as he can get. Pitching wins.

Q What do the Reds need to do?

A I went to an NBA game in Indianapolis (last week). I wouldn't have gone if LeBron James wasn't playing. Who do the fans in Dayton have to drive to see on the Reds? You don't want fans in Dayton driving to see the opposition. Who would you pay to see on the Reds?

They have to create some identity for the fans with players. They had it with Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn, but now who do they have?

Q Are you frustrated with eight years of losing?

A We (the Big Red Machine) ruined it for them by being so good. You aren't going to get attendance if you don't win. It's a shame, but that's the way it is. If they don't get off to a good start, with the economy, they're in trouble. I mean, what reason did they give fans last year to come back this year?

Q Who was the toughest pitcher for you to hit?

A I couldn't hit Randy Jones, a left-hander. I even tried batting left-handed against him once and he threw me a big sweeping curve on a 3-and-2 count. I was bailing for the dugout, trying to get out of the way. I looked at umpire John McSherry and he said, "Ball four." That was Randy's first walk in 75 innings, a major-league record then. And I was glad to get it.

I was 10-for-56 against Sandy Koufax, but nobody hit Koufax. The first two years I faced him he struck out more than 300 those two years. And I hadn't learned how to hit yet.

Q Where are you living?

A I live in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks in the Valley, about 20 minutes from Sparky Anderson. But I never see him, God bless him, he plays golf every day.

Q What do you do most of the time?

A I'm in Las Vegas three times a week at a store in the Forum Mall signing memorabilia. And I'm not gambling, although I'm probably the only guy who isn't.

The economy is rough and we're down by about half. The people are there, but they're buying baseballs and pictures instead of jerseys and we have to sell four baseballs to equal one jersey.

Q What was your favorite ballpark?

A Didn't have a favorite, but I hated Candlestick (San Francisco). Just awful. The wind blew and stuff got in your eyes. Juan Marichal would hold the ball and wait until he saw something go into your eyes, and just when you reached up to rub it, he'd throw the ball. His eyes were so good he could see when your eyes started watering.

Q Pete Junior is 40 now, what is he doing?

A The last two years he played for the Long Island Ducks (independent league) and hit .300 and .342 and drove in 95 both years. He's mad right now because somebody else on the team who hit .260 got a good deal in Japan.