Rose’s Turn
Last year when Pete Rose passed away and several of us were reminiscing about his career and what he meant to Cincinnati, one person asked this question: “Do you know anyone who doesn’t have a Pete Rose autograph?”
I don’t. And while his card shows and autograph sessions may have been a side show to his illustrious career, he did sign just about anything and everything, if nothing more than to give fans the opportunity to share in his career.
On Pete Rose’s actual birthday, April 14, the Reds were out of town. So the next best time to honor him comes later this month. On May 14, the Cincinnati Reds will pay tribute to the late Pete Rose with a special “Pete Rose Night” at Great American Ball Park. This event honors the legendary “Hit King” and Cincinnati native, who passed away on Sept. 30 at the age of 83.
The game against the Chicago White Sox is scheduled to start at 7:14 p.m., a nod to Rose’s iconic jersey number 14. All fans in attendance will receive a replica #14 Pete Rose jersey, modeled after the road uniform worn during the Reds’ 1975 and 1976 World Series championships.
The tribute follows a 14-hour public visitation held on November 10, where thousands of fans gathered at GABP to honor Rose's memory. The Reds also are honoring Pete with a special #14 patch on their jerseys this season.
Rose's illustrious career includes 17 All-Star selections, three World Series titles, and holding MLB records for hits (4,256), games played (3,562), and plate appearances (15,890). Rose was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2016, had his number retired, and was honored with a statue outside the ballpark in 2017.
Rose's Reds career was marked by virtually every honor that can be bestowed on a Major League player. His 13 All-Star selections as a Red are the second-most in club history, and includes selections at an All-Star-record five different positions. In 1963 Rose was named the National League's Rookie of the Year, and he was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the National League in 1973. A three-time NL batting champion, Rose was also a two-time winner of Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence.
In 1975 and 1976, Rose captained the Big Red Machine to consecutive World Series titles and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1975 Fall Classic. In 1978, Rose authored a 44-game hitting streak, tied for the second-longest single-season streak in Major League history.
“Pete Rose Night” promises to be a heartfelt celebration of a player whose passion and dedication left an indelible mark on baseball and the city of Cincinnati. Let’s give him one last standing ovation.
– Betsy Ross