Remembering The Hit King!

 
Peter Edward Rose Sr. born  April 14, 1941 is better known as Pete Rose or by his nickname The Big Red Machine. Rose played in the Major Leagues with multiple teams, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos but mainly with the Cincinnati Reds. Playing from 1963-1986. He managed the Cincinnati Reds from 1984-1989. Rose had many accolades but probably none as well known as Hit King. Rose has 4,256 hits leading the pack of all time. 

Other accolades include,

3 World Series Championships - Cincinnati Red x2, Philadelphia Phillies x1.
3 Batting Titles - 1968, 1969, 1973.
2 Golden Gloves - 1969, 1970.
Rookie of the Year - 1963.
1 MVP - 1973.

Rose was also a switch hitter who played in 3,562 games, had 14,053 at-bats, hit 3,215 singles, with a .303 batting average. He played in 17 all-star games in multiple positions. First, Second and Third baseman as well as Left and Right Fielder. 

In August of 1989, Rose was penalized by the MLB with permanent ineligibility from baseball amid the accusations of gambling on games while still playing and managing the Reds. Charges included him betting on his own team. In 1991 the Baseball Hall of Fame formally voted to ban those on the permanent ineligibility list. 

In 2004 Rose admitted to betting on the Reds after years of denial. He bet on his team to win. 

In 1998, 1999 and 2000, Rose worked with the WWF. He was a celebrity part of Wrestlemania. Wrestlemania 14, Rose was the guest ring announcer for the Kane vs Undertaker match. After putting down the Boston crowd, Kane gave him a Tombstone Piledriver. Wrestlemania 15 in Philadelphia, Kane just got in the ring for his match with HHH and was attacked by the San Diego Chicken. After Tombstoning the chicken it was revealed as Rose. Wrestlemania 2000 Kane and Rikishi win a tag team match and Too Cool with Rikishi start dancing in the ring with the San Diego Chicken. Kane about to attack the chicken because the previous year it was Rose, Rose snuck out from under the ring and attacked Kane with a baseball bat. Kane chokeslammed him and Rikishi gave him a stinkface.

In 2004 Rose was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame Celebrity Wing. He was inducted by Kane. 

A few years ago Rose wrote the MLB/Baseball Hall of Fame asking for forgiveness. Stating he came out and admitted to the betting but again it was for his team to win. He went on to explain he didn't think he had long to live and would love to see himself make it into the Hall of Fame.

September 30, 2024, Pete Rose passed away due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He did a signing in Franklin, TN the day before and nobody had even a hint that anything was wrong. 

To this day the MLB/Baseball Hall of Fame has yet to put Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame. It is sad a man that did so much for baseball and to be excluded not from playing or managing but even from the Hall of Fame after 33 years from his "punishment". I would love to see Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame but I want his family front and center of it and not just a "phantom" induction.

Rest In Peace Pete Rose, Hit King, Big Red Machine!!!   EV Sports, The Written Game! Eddie Venom