Thousands of fans showed up at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on a rainy Sunday to pay tribute to Pete Rose, the Reds legend who died on September 30 at the age of 83.
Rose’s visit was organized by the Reds and Rose’s daughters, Fawn and Kara. Starting at 7am and open to the public until 9pm (14 hours in honor of Rose’s number 14), fans began lining up outside the stadium at 4am.
This is the line at Great American Ball Park, where fans want to pay homage to Pete Rose.
Please note that this visit lasts 14 hours. This has been constant. pic.twitter.com/mRVDTBUERI
– Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) November 10, 2024
The fans didn’t go to the stadium just because Rose is there Baseball’s all-time leader with 4,256 or because he was part of three World Series championship teams as part of the much-vaunted “Big Red Machine” of the 1970s.
Rose was also a local hero to many growing up in Cincinnati, representing someone who succeeded through hard work, determination and hustle. They didn’t care about his lifetime ban from baseball, which prevented him from entering the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“We all love Pete,” one attendee said. he told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Pete is as much a part of Cincinnati as any of us.”
Seven hours after the event, more than 1,500 people attended the visit, according to a Reds spokesperson. Fans were able to stop in front of an urn containing Rose’s ashes and a table with various memorabilia from his career, as well as the jacket he was given when he was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame. A video of Rose’s many highlights played on the stadium’s video boards.
“I know he told us he was in the Reds Hall of Fame and had his statue in the stadium and his number [retired] “It’s exciting and pretty good for him,” Reds Hall of Fame executive director Rick Wells said. he told the researcher. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I know a lot of people would like to see him in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and we’ll let them decide.”
Fans placed several items on the Rose statue outside the stadium, including red roses, autographed baseballs, No. 14 and Reds caps.
“We are deeply touched by the overwhelming love and support from the people of Cincinnati, the entire baseball community and fans around the world as we mourn the loss of our beloved dad, grandfather and brother, Pete Rose,” said Fawn Rose in a note. . declaration, tramite Associated Press.
The Reds will also honor Rose next season on May 14 (again paying homage to Rose’s jersey number) with a special “Pete Rose Day.” First pitch of the game against the Chicago White Sox will be at 7:14 p.m.
