Thousands of fans streamed into Great American Ball Park despite steady rain on Sunday to pay respects to Pete Rose, baseball’s career hits leader, who died on September 30 at the age of 83.
The 14-hour visitation, corresponding to Rose’s jersey number, was arranged by the Cincinnati Reds with cooperation from Rose’s daughters, Fawn and Kara, who shared hugs, stories, and even some tears with fans.
“We wanted to do something like this,” said Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame. “You could see from the turnout, it means a lot to the people here. It’s a moving experience.”
Known as Charlie Hustle for his unbridled passion for the game, Rose was the driving force behind Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine clubs that secured back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and ’76.
A 17-time All-Star, the switch-hitting Rose played on three World Series-winning teams. He was the National League MVP in 1973 and World Series MVP two years later. He holds the major league records for games played (3,562) and plate appearances (15,890). However, his most notable milestone was achieving 4,256 hits, surpassing his hero Ty Cobb’s 4,191.
Rose agreed to a permanent ban from Major League Baseball in 1989 following an MLB investigation that determined he bet on Reds games from 1985-87 while playing for and managing the team. Two years after that ban, players on the permanent ineligible list were barred from the Hall of Fame ballot.
Despite his off-field controversies, fans arrived as early as 4 a.m. Sunday to honor Rose. They slowly passed by an urn containing his ashes and a table displaying his bright red Reds Hall of Fame induction suit jacket and other memorabilia while a highlight video of his illustrious career played on the concourse video boards.
Fans left flowers and other mementos at the Rose statue located just outside the main entrance to the ballpark.
“He was a guy you thought was going to live forever,” longtime Reds fan Bob Augspurger said. “When I heard the news, obviously it was sad. Baseball lost its greatest ambassador.”
Fawn Rose expressed her gratitude in a statement: “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 Reds plan to honor Rose on “Pete Rose Day” when they play the Chicago White Sox on May 14, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:14 p.m., also in homage to his No. 14.
