No matter what the rest of Major League Baseball might think of him, the Cincinnati Reds faithful still have mad respect for Pete Rose.
The 74-year-old Rose, one of the most divisive figures in baseball history thanks to his gambling controversies, was honored at Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Cincinnati as a part of MLB’s “Franchise Four” ceremony. Fans had voted on the four best players of all-time for all 30 franchises. Rose was selected for the Reds along with Johnny Bench, Barry Larkin, and Joe Morgan.
With the hometown Reds being the last to have their Franchise Four announced and with Rose being the last Red announced, it made for a pretty cool moment as Rose emerged to raucous cheers from the Great American Ballpark crowd.
Hit King & @Reds legend @PeteRose_14 walks out on the field at Great American Ball Park in front of his fans http://t.co/Lo2vuk81ZQ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 14, 2015
The thunderous ovation lasted for almost 90 seconds.
Pete Rose ovation lasted nearly 90 seconds.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 14, 2015
No matter Rose’s sins later on in life, nothing can ever take away from what Charlie Hustle brought to the Reds franchise. While he may never make the Hall of Fame, it was great to see him honored on Tuesday by a city of Cincinnati where he will always be beloved.
Image via Bleacher Report/Twitter
