Pete Rose didn't have the natural ability possessed by other greats, but he had a fierce desire to win that few could ever match.
Pete Rose became one of the greatest players of all time despite the fact that he didn't have the natural ability possessed by most great players. Pete Rose always hustled. He always wanted to win. No one ever saw Pete Rose hit the ball and then stand at home plate, admiring his accomplishment, because that's not the way winners play the game. Rose once said that he would "walk through hell in a gasoline suit to keep playing baseball."
Rose Ignited the Reds
He had many great seasons during his twenty four year career, but 1976 was as good as any. With a .323 batting average, a .404 on base average, and a .450 slugging average, Rose finished behind Joe Morgan, George Foster, and Mike Schmidt in the MVP voting, but he was the fire that ignited the Reds.
Rose Asked If the Yankees Were Worried About the Reds
The 1976 Series was the first in which the teams had ten player lineups. Dan Driessen was Cincinnati's designated hitter while Lou Piniella was the DH for the Yankees. In an interview prior to the opening of the Series, a reporter asked Pete Rose if he were worried about the Yankees' legend of invincibility. Pete's response epitomized his attitude. "No, because we think we have a legend here in Cincinnati. Does it worry THEM?" After the Reds' fourth consecutive victory, pitcher Gary Nolan called Rose the greatest player he had ever seen, which certainly was an exaggeration, but many who saw Rose play every day might agree with Nolan.
Player of the Decade and Sportsman of the Year
Rose has the most hits (4,256), singles (3,215), at bats (14,053), and games played (3,562) in baseball history. He had at least 200 hits in 10 seasons, and led the league in hits 7 times. He was selected to the National League All Star team seventeen times at five different positions (2B, LF, RF, 3B, and 1B). The Sporting News selected him the Player of the Decade for the 1970s, which ranked him 25th on its list of greatest players. When he got his 3,000 on May 5, 1978, he became the thirteenth and youngest player to accomplish the feat. In 1975, Pete was the World Series MVP and was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year.
Pete Played Within the Rules
It is a shame that Pete Rose's accomplishments on the baseball field are hardly referred to anymore. It is undeniable that he played within the rules and never sought unfair or illegal advantages. And for Pete, it was the competition, not the money. When he signed with the Phillies, his goal was to help them become World Champions for the first time in their history. At his first spring training game as a member of the Phillies, Rose told reporters that “If I’d wanted just the money, I would have taken the Atlanta deal. But I didn’t think I could Atlanta competitive. I’m not the God-gifted athlete some of these guys are so I’ve got to scrounge. I’ve got to take second base on a single. But I was the only guy Sparky Anderson (Reds’ manager) could be sure of every day.”
Competition Meant More Than Money
No matter what activity in which Pete Rose was involved, the competition meant more than the money. It is difficult for those who have passed judgment on Pete Rose to understand that fact.
References:
Durso, Joseph. “Talk of the Series: Pure, No-Frills Talent Key to Reds’ Success.” New York Times. 22 October 1976, p.24.
Smith, Red. “History With an Asterisk.” New York Times. 17 October 1976, p.165.
