The Cincinnati Reds held a heartfelt tribute for Pete Rose on Wednesday night, just one day after Major League Baseball removed him and other athletes from the permanently ineligible list. The event, filled with nostalgia and celebration, drew fans from all over the city as they gathered at Great American Ballpark to honor the all-time hits leader. Rose, known for his record 4,256 hits, will now be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame, a decision that marks a significant shift in the long-standing debate over his career.
The Reds’ ceremony included a moment of silence before the game, as well as a performance of the national anthem by a choir from Rose’s high school in Cincinnati. Fans wore Rose jerseys, and highlights of his career were shown on the video board throughout the game. The atmosphere was electric, with chants of ‘Pete! Pete!’ resonating through the stadium as spectators and the team came together in the spirit of celebration. The event was described as an emotional experience by many, with one fan noting, ‘It’s home. These are all friends and family. I will drive 15 minutes from home to get to the ballpark. I will drive 15 minutes back. I try to explain to people, they don’t really get the aspect of Dad being here. I try to tell them he’s our Babe Ruth. If you’re from here, he’s our Babe Ruth.’
For Pete Rose Jr., the night was a bittersweet but ultimately fulfilling one. ‘My dad used to tell me all the stories of how hard he played every time,’ said Reds reliever Brent Suter, ‘You know, never took a play off, always was running hard 90 (feet), sliding headfirst, you know, getting dirty every game. … This was a guy who just embodied toughness, grit.’ Reds manager Terry Francona also spoke of Rose, recalling his time as a teammate with Cincinnati and the Montreal Expos. ‘He played baseball with as much passion and competitive enjoyment as you ever could,’ Francona said. ‘You wanted to be on his team.’
The decision to lift Rose from the ineligible list has sparked a broader debate over his eligibility for the Hall of Fame. While some argue that his on-field contributions as a player are unmatched, others question the justice of his long-standing exclusion. ‘I know I oversimplify things. But what Pete did as a player, if he’s not in, there is no Hall of Fame,’ Francona admitted. ‘But I get it. There are some things that … I’m glad I don’t have to make (those) decisions.’ As the Reds celebrate this milestone, the baseball community now faces the challenge of reconciling Rose’s legacy with the controversies that have shadowed his career.