Pete Rose, who sees himself as an ambassador for the Cincinnati Reds, is defending team owner Bob Castellini amid the club getting off to one of the worst starts in Major League Baseball history. 

But baseball's all-time hits leader says he's doesn't blame Reds fans for being upset and wearing bags over their heads calling on Castellini to sell the team.

"If I'm managing the Reds and I get off to a 3-22 start, I'm going to wear a bag over my head because I'm embarrassed," Rose told The Enquirer's "That's So Cincinnati" podcast.

"I'm a Cincinnati fan," said Rose, the former Reds player and manager. "I do not want to hear the word 'develop.' You can't tell your season-ticket holders you have a three- or four-year plan. Because you know what they'll say? 'OK, I'll see you in three or four years. Let me know when you're ready to entertain me, and I'll come back to the ballpark.' " 

Rose was asked what he thought of the comments that Reds executive Phil Castellini made on Opening Day. The owner's son brushed off some fans' demands that the team be sold by saying: "Where you gonna go?"

"Baseball will never – never – leave Cincinnati, Ohio," Rose said. "So anybody out there worried about (the team moving) because of the ownership, go back to sleep and wake up on the other side of the bed. That's not going to happen."

Phil Castellini has apologized for the comments, but fan backlash continues as the Reds have gotten off to one of the worst starts in Major League Baseball history. 

Rose, 81, permanently banned from baseball for gambling, has had a good relationship with Bob Castellini since he bought the team in 2006. The Reds have received permission multiple times from Major League Baseball to include Rose in reunion events.

Rose called Castellini, 80, a "great guy" and "great Cincinnatian." 

Asked whether he thinks Castellini should sell the team, Rose said: "I'm just speaking for myself. I'm not speaking about anything I've heard. I don't think Mr. Castellini is making big-time decisions with the Cincinnati Reds. He is the owner. He wants the team to do well. He's a rich man. He's done wonders for Cincinnati with the produce company over the years. I don't think he wants to sell the team. And I know if he sold the team, he'd probably make a stipulation that you can't move the team. 

Rose later added: "The bottom line in sports is the players have to produce. It's not (Manager) David Bell's fault. ... A manager is only as good as his player." 

Rose, who lives in Las Vegas, is scheduled to be in Cincinnati for a celebrity roast at Hard Rock Casino on June 11. The 81-year-old Cincinnati native continues to travel the nation for autograph-signing events and speaking engagements. He not only keeps close tabs on the Reds, but also the Bengals and UC Bearcats. 

Rose loves Joe Burrow, and believes the Bengals' Super Bowl loss will help the team improve.

Said Rose: "I was happy that they lost. Let me explain that. I wasn't happy for the city. But sometimes, when you're that good that young and you win, it ruins you for the future. You get complacent. Now they probably can't wait to get back there."

Cincinnati is the epicenter of football with the Bengals coming off the Super Bowl appearance and the Bearcats playing in the College Football Playoff. But Rose doesn't want people to forget about the Reds' history as the oldest franchise in baseball.

"Cincinnati will always be a baseball town," Rose said.