PETE'S KID ONE STEP FROM BIGS.(SPORTS)

Byline: Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- Pete Rose Jr. scribbled the letters HK and the number 4,256 in the dirt with his bat and circled them.

They signified ``Hit King,'' and the record number his father had during his career.

``It's my way of paying tribute to my father,'' said the younger Rose, newly promoted to play third base for the Indianapolis Indians.

Rose, in his ninth season in the minor leagues, was promoted earlier this week by the Cincinnati Reds from Chattanooga of the Southern League to Indianapolis of the American Association.

It's his first stint in baseball's Class AAA and puts him one step away from the …