CINCINNATI — A significant turnout of fans gathered at Great American Ball Park on Sunday, braving the rain to pay tribute to Pete Rose, the all-time leader in baseball hits, who passed away on September 30 at 83 years of age.
The Cincinnati Reds organized a lengthy 14-hour visitation to honor Rose, symbolically reflecting his legendary jersey number. The event was facilitated with the support of his daughters, Fawn and Kara, who shared heartfelt moments with fans, exchanging hugs, stories, and emotions.
Rick Walls, the executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame, expressed the importance of the event, stating, “We wanted to do something like this. You could see from the turnout, it means a lot to the people here. It’s a moving experience.”
Nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” for his relentless dedication to the sport, Rose was a key player in the Cincinnati’s renowned “Big Red Machine,” which secured consecutive World Series championships in 1975 and 1976. He was a 17-time All-Star, contributing to three World Series victories, and earned the National League MVP title in 1973, along with the World Series MVP award in 1975. Rose holds the unparalleled major league records for the most games played (3,562) and most plate appearances (15,890), but his most significant milestone remains an astounding 4,256 hits, surpassing the record previously held by his idol, Ty Cobb, who had 4,191 hits.
Though his gambling history led to his banishment from Major League Baseball in 1989, tarnishing both his legacy and Hall of Fame aspirations, fans showed their dedication to him, some arriving as early as 4 a.m. on Sunday. Attendees paid their respects by walking past an urn containing Rose’s ashes and viewing a display of his Reds Hall of Fame induction jacket along with various memorabilia, all while a highlight reel showcasing his remarkable career played on video boards around the concourse.
Many fans chose to leave flowers and other tokens at the statue of Rose situated near the main entrance to the stadium. Longtime Reds supporter Bob Augspurger reflected on the loss, stating, “He was a guy you thought was going to live forever. When I heard the news, obviously it was sad. Baseball lost its greatest ambassador.”
Fawn Rose released a heartfelt statement expressing gratitude, saying, “We are deeply moved by the overwhelming love and support from the people of Cincinnati, the entire baseball community, and fans across the world as we mourn the loss of our beloved Dad, Grandpa, and Brother, Pete Rose.”
The Cincinnati Reds have plans to honor his legacy on “Pete Rose Day,” coinciding with their game against the Chicago White Sox scheduled for May 14, at 7:14 p.m., a nod to his cherished jersey number.