Pete Rose to manage 1 game in independent league

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) -- Pete Rose is set to return to the dugout.

The 73-year-old career hits leader is going to manage one game for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League on June 16.

Rose was managing the Cincinnati Reds in 1989 when he agreed to a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball. He later admitted that he bet on Reds games while running them.

Rose is able to take this one-game job because the Bluefish are not affiliated with any team in MLB. He has occasionally appeared at official events since his ban, with MLB's permission.

The Bluefish will host the Lancaster Barnstormers in Rose's game.

"I'm doing this because I love baseball," Rose said in a statement posted on the Bluefish web site. "I love young players ... they run hard and they play hard, all the time."

Rose got 4,256 hits during 24 seasons while playing for the Reds, Philadelphia and Montreal.

Rose was banned as MLB investigated his gambling activities and is not eligible for election to the Hall of Fame.