1.Pete Rose breaks Ty Cobb’s record on September 11, 1985.
Riverfront Stadium was filled to capacity when Rose hit a line drive off San Diego’s Eric Show to left field. The crowd erupted in cheers as Rose displayed his emotions while standing at first base during the applause.
His son, Pete Rose Jr., and first-base coach Tommy Helms were there to celebrate with him as he became the new Hit King. The next day, Rose appeared on The Phil Donahue Show from Riverfront Coliseum (now Heritage Bank Center).
Recent findings indicate that two of Ty Cobb’s hits were counted twice. While MLB officially recognized Rose’s record on September 11, 1985, if Cobb’s total was adjusted to 4,189, then Rose actually broke the record on September 8, 1985, at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
2.Pete Rose scores the winning run at Riverfront Stadium in the 1970 All-Star Game.
Reds lead-off hitter Rose was positioned at second base in the bottom of the 12th inning with a tied score of 4-4. Jim Hickman from the Cubs hit a single to center field, and Kansas City’s Amos Otis attempted to throw out Rose at home plate.
Catcher Ray Fosse of the Cleveland Indians was unable to stop him as Rose barreled through, scoring the winning run and creating a memorable moment captured on video for fans to cherish.
4.Pete Rose and the Cincinnati Reds sweep the Yankees in 1976.
The Reds secured back-to-back championships the following year by defeating the Yankees in four consecutive games. Although Rose batted only. 188 in this World Series, he made a significant impact defensively at third base.
After moving to third in 1975 to accommodate George Foster in the outfield, Rose effectively intimidated Yankees speedster Mickey Rivers, who had been bunting and slapping his way on base. Rose positioned himself nearly halfway to home plate, challenging Rivers to attempt a bunt and effectively removing that tactic from his strategy.
In a memorable moment, Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman was seen with Pete Rose and his first wife, Karolyn, on a flight from New York to Cincinnati after their victory over the Yankees in the World Series in 1976.
5.Pete Rose’s 44-game hitting streak.
In 1978, Rose aimed to break Joe DiMaggio’s legendary record of hitting in 56 consecutive games. He set the National League record with a 44-game hitting streak from June 14 to August 1, until Braves reliever Gene Garber ended it with a strikeout during a lopsided 16-4 loss to Atlanta.
“He pitched to me like it was the seventh game of the World Series,” Rose remarked afterward.
6.Pete Rose named the 1973 Most Valuable Player.
Rose won National League batting titles in 1968 (.335), 1969 (.348), and 1973 (.338). That season, he achieved a career-high of 230 hits while playing in 160 games. The Reds were eliminated in the playoffs that year, where Rose had a notable altercation with Bud Harrelson of the Mets at Shea Stadium, resulting in bottles being thrown at him upon his return to left field.
In the next game, Rose hit a tie-breaking home run in the 12th inning, leading the Reds to a 2-1 victory. He famously shook his fist at the crowd, and that image later became a popular poster available at the Reds’ former gift shop. Unfortunately, the Mets advanced to the World Series after winning Game 5.
7.Pete Rose returns to Cincinnati as manager/player in 1984.
On August 17, 1984, after firing Vern Rapp with a record of 51-70, the Reds brought back Rose, who had started the year with Montreal where he achieved his 4,000th hit early in the season. Despite hitting only .259 for the Expos, Reds GM Bob Howsam acquired the 43-year-old Rose in exchange for infielder Tom Lawless.
In his first at-bat back at Riverfront Stadium, Rose hit a single to center field that was misplayed by Cubs’ Bob Dernier. He then sprinted to third base, executing his signature head-first slide.
8.Hit No. 1 for Pete Rose.
On April 13, 1963, rookie Pete Rose made his mark by getting his first hit—a triple off Bob Friend of the Pittsburgh Pirates—after taking over for Don Blasingame at second base. He would turn 22 the following day.
9.Pete Rose named Rookie of the Year for Reds in 1963.
Although his rookie season batting average of .273 fell short of his career average by 30 points, Rose was honored as the National League Rookie of the Year after playing in 157 games. Over his career spanning from 1963 to 1986, he would win three batting titles, lead the NL in hits seven times, attend 17 All-Star games, win an MVP award, and set records for hits, at-bats, and games played. His initial number with the Reds was No. 27, which is now famously associated with Mr. Red.
10.Pete Rose wins World Series titles with Reds in ’75-’76 and one with Philadelphia.
After leaving Cincinnati as a free agent following the 1978 season, Rose was pursued by several teams but ultimately signed with the Phillies for four years at $3.2 million—the highest salary in baseball at that time. At age 38, he batted .331 with 208 hits. In 1980, although his average dropped to .282, he helped lead the Phillies to their third World Series title by defeating the Royals. At age 42, he returned to the World Series with Philadelphia alongside former Reds teammate Tony Pérez but was swept by the Orioles.
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