On a drizzly Sunday, Nov. 10, tens of thousands of fans packed Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park to pay their respects to the late Pete Rose—the all-time leader in MLB career hits-who died on Sept. 30 at age 83.
The 14-hour visitation event by the Cincinnati Reds enabled the fans to pay their respects to Rose, as his daughters, Fawn and Kara, would be meeting them and sharing stories, hugs, and memories of the legendary player. A tribute, timed to reflect his famous jersey number 14, celebrated Rose's passionate contributions to the game.
Remembering a Baseball Icon and Record-Breaker
Pete Rose, alias "Charlie Hustle," was a classic figure of the Cincinnati Reds' "Big Red Machine" dynasty, which ushered in successive World Series victories in 1975 and 1976, according to ESPN. He broke Ty Cobb's record of 4,191 with his 4,256 hits. He is also a 17-time All-Star and MVP and has featured in three World Series championships: in summary, he is a man of enduring baseball fame.
"We wanted to do something like this," Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame, said. "You could see from the turnout, it means a lot to the people here. It's a moving experience."
A Permanent Ban, But Unwavering Fan Devotion
Although Major League Baseball banned him for life in 1989 following allegations that he bet on games while managing the Reds, his fans did not abandon him.
The early Sunday morning hours before dawn saw fans file through an urn containing his ashes as they stopped in to view memorabilia and watch a video paying homage to this storied career outside.
The pedestal of the Pete Rose statue outside the ballpark was full of flowers and other trinkets as a tribute to this man for his long-lasting influence on the sport.
Family and Fans Reflected on Rose's Legacy
Fawn Rose said in a statement that the outpouring of support from fans around the world was appreciated, and as much to her family.
"He's just a guy you thought was going to live forever," said lifelong Reds fan Bob Augspurger. The Reds will pay tribute to Rose again this season on "Pete Rose Day" on May 14, when they host the Chicago White Sox in a game dedicated to the legendary No. 14.
"I don't know what's going to happen down the road, but I know a lot of people would like to see him in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and we'll leave that up to them," Walls said.
Related Article: Pete Rose's Cause Of Death Revealed As Heart Disease
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