Betting on whether Pete Rose gets back into Major League Baseball … is that irony or what? But it's what you can do now at WagerWeb in the wake of reports that Commissioner Bud Selig is "seriously considering" possible reinstatement for Rose, 20 years after the all-time hit king was banned from baseball for life for betting on it while manager of the Cincinnati Reds (but never supposedly against his team).

WagerWeb lists Rose's odds as even money (+100) that Selig will reinstate Rose and -140 that the commissioner will yet again say no.

The New York Daily News is the paper that first reported this news. The movement to get Rose back in the good graces of Selig really gained steam this weekend at the Hall of Fame ceremonies in Cooperstown. Hank Aaron mentioned Rose specifically in a session with reporters this weekend (Rose was in town signing autographs as usual but not at any of the official ceremonies). Most reporters there believe Aaron definitely had an agenda with this "impromptu" gathering.

"I would like to see Pete in," Aaron said to a group of reporters about the Hall. "He belongs in, really."

Aaron, by the way, is very close with Selig, and the commissioner values and respects Aaron's opinion. Two of Rose's former teammates -- Joe Morgan and Frank Robinson, both of whom are on the Hall of Fame's board or directors -- also favor reinstatement.

(As an aside, Aaron also said all the steroid cheats should get into the Hall of Fame but only if asterisks were included on their plaques).

Most experts say that any reinstatement would likely be just a partial one, and that Rose certainly would never be allowed to manage or coach again. And he'd probably have to admit to betting on baseball publicly again.

Here's what Selig said during the all-star break when the Rose topic came up.

"I agreed to review this matter," Selig said. "I would remind you that Pete voluntarily accepted a lifetime suspension from Commissioner Bart Giamatti, and since I am the judge in this case, I think it's inappropriate for me to comment. He has a right to ask for it to be reviewed, if there's any new evidence, and we certainly have done that and will do that."

Of course it took Rose nearly 15 years to even admit he bet on the sport, and he did that only to sell more of his books. If you are wondering about his Hall of Fame chances should he get back in, Rose would have to be voted in by the veterans committee unless there were some special ballot just for this occasion. Seventy-five percent of that 65-member group (all the living members of the Hall of Fame) would need to approve him.

For what it's worth, Keith Olbermann, who is still very connected on all things baseball, said on the "Dan Patrick Show" on Monday that he thinks there's a 50-50 chance Rose will be reinstated in August - the 20-year anniversary of his ban is Aug. 24.

I would also wonder what this potential news might mean for Shoeless Joe Jackson; wouldn't it only be fair that Jackson also get reinstatement and a chance to be enshrined in Cooperstown if Rose does? Look for that campaign to gain steam as well.

For what it's worth, I believe Selig maintains the status quo with Rose. While Selig's respects Aaron's opinion, he also very much respects the legacy of the late Giamatti.