By Ryan Ernst
Enquirer staff writer

Pete Rose Jr. hopes to resume his playing career in the Northern League.

The Florence Freedom fired manager Tom Browning on Wednesday.

The former Reds pitcher suffered through a 27-61 inaugural season with the Frontier League club in 2003. The Freedom, who opened a new stadium last month, were 13-33 going into Thursday night's home game against Kalamazoo.

"When you're 13-33, I think they felt they needed a change of direction," Browning said. "I don't know. ... They're the owners of the team; they can do whatever they want. I respect that. I'm going to miss those kids, that's for sure."

Freedom general manager Connie Hildebrant did not return phone messages but issued a statement, saying Browning "is loved by his players and will be missed. But we hope he will continue to be around."

The organization has called upon Pete Rose Jr. to fill in for Browning on a "guest interim" basis. Rose strongly stressed the "interim" tag.

"This is not like a permanent thing," Rose said. "It's a one- or two-day thing. I've worked with a lot of these guys, so I wanted to help out. I'm still a player. I'm not a manager."

Rose, 34, recently returned from a stint in the Mexican League but hopes to finish the summer playing in the Northern League, a top independent circuit, and catch on with a major-league organization.

The Freedom started 10-15, then lost 18 of their next 21 games. Browning said he was happy with the team's offensive and defensive performances, but pitching consistently was a problem. Opponents were hitting .308 against the Freedom.

Browning has never been shy about professing his desire to return to the Reds as a coach. The only stumbling block in the past seemed to be his tempestuous relationship with departed general manager Jim Bowden.

"That's always been the desire, to get involved with that organization," Browning said. "Now without me having a job, is that going to facilitate that? I don't know.

"I just hope the (Freedom) kids can turn it around and have a great second half of the season."

E-mail rernst@enquirer.com