This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/20/2011
Many legendary ballplayers have come and gone over baseball's 150+ years of existence, but few if any were more colorful or played the game with as much raw intensity as Peter Edward Rose. Major league baseball's all-time hits leader, Rose topped the .300 mark 15 times, rapping out over 200 hits in a season 10 times and capturing 3 National League batting titles. Rose's "all-out" style and passion for the game was evident immediately upon his arrival to the bigs. During a spring training game against the New York Yankees, Rose sprinted to first base after drawing a walk, prompting Whitey Ford to sarcastically exclaim, "Look at that Charlie Hustle!" Rose adopted the derisive moniker and wore it as a badge of honor, and for 24 seasons Pete Rose became a symbol for perseverance and "giving 110%." But Rose's style was not without controversy, as he played the antagonist in the 1970 All-Star game when he barreled over catcher Ray Fosse to score the winning run even though Fosse wasn't making a play on the ball, separating Fosse's shoulder and shortening his career. In the 1973 National League Championship series, Rose's aggressive play incited a fight with Mets shortstop Bud Harrelson, leading to a bench-clearing brawl. His lifetime ban from baseball and exclusion from the Hall of Fame as a result of gambling allegations is further evidence that Pete Rose will forever be remembered as one of the game's most dubious figures. Proudly presented by Mile High Card Company is this game-used Cincinnati Reds road jersey, worn by the only player ever to be selected to the All-Star game at five different positions, Pete Rose. Worn during the 1976 season, when the Reds swept the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees to capture their 2nd straight World Championship, the jersey displays extensive wear indicative of Rose's "go for broke" approach, with faded numbers and letters attached by a tackle twill stitch that exhibits pulls, interruptions and breaches throughout. The inside of the sleeves are heavily stained. The Wilson size 44 tag appears inside the front right tail, sewn upside down with a single stitch. The National League Bicentennial patch appears on the right sleeve, confirming the year as 1976, when the "Big Red Machine" was running on all cylinders, dominating the Great American Pastime. This is a tremendous piece of baseball memorabilia, worn by one of baseball's all-time greats! LOA from Mile High Card Co.