Reds honoring Pete Rose with memorial patch for 2025 season
Honoring Pete: The Cincinnati Reds will wear a No. 14 patch on their jersey sleeves to honor the memory of Pete Rose, who died in September. (Kim Kulish/Corbis via Getty Images))
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
To baseball fans in Cincinnati, Rose is a Red. Always.
The Reds announced on Monday that players will wear a No. 14 patch on their jersey sleeves to honor Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader and a native of Cincinnati.
Rose, 83, was found dead at his Las Vegas home on Sept. 30. The Clark County coroner’s office said Rose died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with diabetes mellitus noted as a contributing factor, KLAS reported.
Rose, known as “Charlie Hustle,” collected 4,256 career hits and appeared in 17 All-Star games. He was the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1963 and was the league’s MVP in 1973.
He was the ignition for the Big Red Machine of the 1970s, batting leadoff and helping Cincinnati to five playoff berths, four World Series appearances and two Series titles. He was the MVP of the 1975 World Series.
Rose also led the Philadelphia Phillies to a World Series crown in 1980 and another World Series appearance in 1983.
Despite his numbers, Rose was banned from baseball in 1989 after it was determined that he gambled on the game, particularly on the Reds during the 1985, ‘86 and ‘87 seasons, when he managed the team.
The ban has kept Rose from Hall of Fame consideration, as he was declared ineligible for induction.
Remembering Pete Rose 1963 Tommy Harper, outfield, and Pete Rose, second base, Cincinnati Red's rookie All-Stars at Waldorf rookie ceremonies. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose Pete Rose of Cincinnati Reds during spring training, April 1964. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose 1965 Cincinnati Reds infielder Pete Rose leaps over Mack Jones of the Milwaukee Braves, snagging a high pickoff attempt by Reds pitcher Jim O'Toole. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose 7/27/1965-Los Angeles, CA- Cincinnati Reds' second baseman Pete Rose leaps high in the air to grab a high throw from catcher John Edwards, as Dodger Wes Parker slides into second with a stolen base during the second inning. Umpire Ed Vargo looks. Dodgers took the game, 9-7, and widened their first place lead. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose 7/14/1970-Cincinnati, OH- On a single hit by Chicago Cubs' Jim Hickman, Cincinnati Reds' Pete Rose scores the winning run in the 12th inning, sliding and colliding with Cleveland Indians' catcher Ray Fosse. The run gave the National league All-Stars a 5-4 victory. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds collides into Cleveland Indians' catcher Ray Fosse and scores the winning run from second base on Chicago Cubs' Jim Hickman's single to center in the 12th inning of the All-Star Classic. The 5 to 4 win on July 14, 1970 in Cincinnati gave the National League All-Stars the hard earned victory. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose 7/30/72-Cincinnati, Ohio- Pete Rose of the Reds dives into home plate past the glove of Giants' catcher Dave Rader, July 30th, in first game of double-header. Rose flew home from third on a single by Bobby Telas as Giants' left-fielder Ken Henderson threw wide to the plate without a relay. Reds took both ends of the double-header, 4-0, and 6-1. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose 1972 Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench (L-R) will be the key to the Reds well-balanced attack when they meet the Pirates in the first game of the National League playoffs at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh 10/7. Rose failed by 2 to reach the 200 mark in hits but he led the league in that department. Morgan proved to be invaluable with his all-around play while Bench led the League with 40 homers. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose American baseball player Pete Rose, of the Cincinnati Reds, crouches on the field before a game at Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York, New York, July 24, 1978. The game, against the New York Mets, resulted in Rose increasing his hitting streak to 37 consecutive games (the streak eventually lasted 44 games). (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images) (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
Remembering Pete Rose Manager Pete Rose #14 of the Cincinnati Reds makes a call to the bullpen at Riverfront Stadium during the 1980s in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images) (Focus On Sport/Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
Remembering Pete Rose 9/11/1985- Peter Rose hit breaks Ty Cobb record. PH.: Sue Ogrocki (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose Cincinnati Red batter Pete Rose connects for hit #4,192 to break Ty Cobb's record for career hits on September 11, 1985. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose 3/22/1989-Plant City, FL-Cincinnati Reds' manager Pete Rose reacts to a reporters question 3/22 in the dugout prior to their contest against the Cards. Rose is under scrutiny by the baseball commissioners office for gambling. (Bettmann/Bettmann Archive)
Remembering Pete Rose LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 15: Former Major League Baseball player and manager Pete Rose speaks during a news conference at Pete Rose Bar & Grill to respond to his lifetime ban from MLB for gambling being upheld on December 15, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Monday announced that he was rejecting Rose's application for reinstatement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)