By Chris Pike, chris.pike@cincinnati-oh.gov
The City of Cincinnati, The Cincinnati Reds, and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC), in partnership with the Sedamsville Civic Association hosted a special dedication ceremony of Pete Rose Field at Boldface Park at 3048 River Road, Cincinnati, on May 14.
Named in honor of Reds Hall of Famer, baseball legend, and hometown hero Pete Rose, this dedication celebrated Cincinnati’s deep roots in baseball and recognized the legacy of one of the sport’s most iconic figures. Pete Rose Field is part of an ongoing investment to revitalize Boldface Park and bring high-quality, accessible recreation spaces to Cincinnati’s West Side.
“Placing Pete Rose’s name on the ballfield at Boldface Park is a celebration of Cincinnati’s rich baseball heritage,” said Phil Castellini, Reds President and CEO. “Pete’s relentless hustle and passion for baseball reflect the very spirit of our city and our team, and we want to carry those traits forward for generations to come.”
The dedication featured remarks from City leaders, community representatives, the Rose family, and the unveiling of a permanent commemorative plaque.
“This is where he grew up playing ball. This is where his father played ball. This community loves Pete Rose, and we are very honored to have CRC and the Reds organization here to honor Pete Rose in the park where he started his baseball career, in the small town of Sedamsville,” expressed Cindy Bastin, President of the Sedamsville Civic Association.
Pete’s oldest daughter, Fawn Rose, who remembered the park well, said, “My dad did bring Petey and I down here when we were kids. So there’s a whole history here of what this meant to him as a kid growing up,” she said. “And the people of Cincinnati, fans of Cincinnati, you’re what meant the most to him. He did play every day for you. So I appreciate you all coming out, it’s a great celebration.”
Daniel Betts, Director of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, stated, “at CRC, we believe that every child deserves a place to play, and every community deserves spaces that inspire connection and activity. Dedicating this field to Pete Rose connects our youth to Cincinnati’s rich sports history while giving them a place to create their own legacy.”
“A few years ago, Sedamsville Civic Association President Cindy Bastin told us that Pete Rose learned to play baseball on Boldface Park’s field, and she wanted to honor him,” said Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. “While we were hoping that Pete Rose would be here for this celebration of his legacy, we are grateful that his family and his Sedamsville family are present, and we know that the spirit of Charlie Hustle will always be a part of Sedamsville and all of Cincinnati.”
A community celebration hosted by the Sedamsville Civic Association was held in connection with the event and included a cookout, The Cincinnati Red Stockings, cornhole, games and giveaways.
On May 14, both at Great American Ball Park and throughout Reds Country, it was a day to remember in honor of a player Cincinnati will never forget: Pete Rose.
Rose’s passing last September shocked the baseball world, especially Reds Country. The Reds organization held a memorial service at Great American Ball Park in November for fans to pay their respects to Rose.
From there, sights shifted to May 14, which the Reds announced would be Pete Rose Night at GABP to celebrate the life and legacy of the Hit King.
It seemed fitting that just one day prior, on the eve of Pete Rose Night, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Rose had been removed from MLB’s permanently ineligible list, clearing a path for Charlie Hustle to potentially make his way into Cooperstown’s National Baseball Hall of Fame. For what was already going to be a joyous night, the news only added to the buzz in downtown Cincinnati.
At the ballpark that evening, thousands of fans lined up hours in advance, eagerly awaiting the festivities. Dozens of roses adorned the Pete Rose statue in front of Crosley Terrace with a red carpet leading toward the main entrance. Each fan that walked through the gates was welcomed with a Pete Rose No. 14 replica road jersey, a nod to the road uniform that Pete and the Reds wore during the Big Red Machine’s World Series-clinching victories in 1975 and ’76.
No one was prouder to wear CINCINNATI across his chest than Pete Rose, and as Dawn mentioned at the dedication ceremony, he was proud to represent his hometown and his home fans every time he took the field. On this night, 43,585 had the opportunity to wear CINCINNATI across their chests as a final salute to the Hit King. Reds players joined in by wearing special No. 14 T-shirts during batting practice and warmups.
With fans quickly filling up the seats, the videoboards counted down the top 14 moments from Pete’s career in a leadup to the official pregame ceremonies, which started with an on-field Q&A emceed by Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman. The dais featured Reds Hall of Famers George Foster, Eric Davis and Barry Larkin sharing stories and memories of Pete. Another Reds Hall of Famer and Big Red Machine member, Ken Griffey Sr., joined the radio broadcast during the game to talk about his former teammate.
“Growing up in Cincinnati and watching the Big Red Machine, we would go outside and try to imitate the headfirst slide,” said Larkin, a lifelong Red who played four years with Rose as manager. “We played hard, expected to win, we tried to emulate every characteristic that Pete Rose embodied when he represented this great city for this club.”
“Everything that he did, there was a meaning to it. Every time he talked to the young players, there was a meaning to it. I don’t think we would have been nearly what we were had it not been for Pete Rose,” added Davis, who played under Rose for six seasons.
The honor guard consisted of members of the United States Army (Rose joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1963), and after their presentation of colors, a 14-second moment of remembrance took place. Next, 14 students from Pete’s alma mater, Western Hills High School, sang the national anthem. Members of the Rose family delivered the official game ball and served as the game’s honorary captains before the Reds and White Sox took the field.
Throughout the game, the ballpark’s videoboards featured iconic footage from Pete’s career, along with special tributes and old clips from former teammates and others talking about Rose. Reds manager Terry Francona, who both played with and for Pete, former teammates Johnny Bench and the late Joe Morgan, and Big Red Machine manager, the late Sparky Anderson, were among those featured.
It seemed fitting that just one day prior, on the eve of Pete Rose Night, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Rose had been removed from MLB’s permanently ineligible list, clearing a path for Charlie Hustle to potentially make his way into Cooperstown’s National Baseball Hall of Fame. For what was already going to be a joyous night, the news only added to the buzz in downtown Cincinnati.
At the ballpark that evening, thousands of fans lined up hours in advance, eagerly awaiting the festivities. Dozens of roses adorned the Pete Rose statue in front of Crosley Terrace with a red carpet leading toward the main entrance. Each fan that walked through the gates was welcomed with a Pete Rose No. 14 replica road jersey, a nod to the road uniform that Pete and the Reds wore during the Big Red Machine’s World Series-clinching victories in 1975 and ’76.
No one was prouder to wear CINCINNATI across his chest than Pete Rose, and as Dawn mentioned at the dedication ceremony, he was proud to represent his hometown and his home fans every time he took the field. On this night, 43,585 had the opportunity to wear CINCINNATI across their chests as a final salute to the Hit King. Reds players joined in by wearing special No. 14 T-shirts during batting practice and warmups.
With fans quickly filling up the seats, the videoboards counted down the top 14 moments from Pete’s career in a leadup to the official pregame ceremonies, which started with an on-field Q&A emceed by Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman. The dais featured Reds Hall of Famers George Foster, Eric Davis and Barry Larkin sharing stories and memories of Pete. Another Reds Hall of Famer and Big Red Machine member, Ken Griffey Sr., joined the radio broadcast during the game to talk about his former teammate.
“Growing up in Cincinnati and watching the Big Red Machine, we would go outside and try to imitate the headfirst slide,” said Larkin, a lifelong Red who played four years with Rose as manager. “We played hard, expected to win, we tried to emulate every characteristic that Pete Rose embodied when he represented this great city for this club.”
“Everything that he did, there was a meaning to it. Every time he talked to the young players, there was a meaning to it. I don’t think we would have been nearly what we were had it not been for Pete Rose,” added Davis, who played under Rose for six seasons.
The honor guard consisted of members of the United States Army (Rose joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1963), and after their presentation of colors, a 14-second moment of remembrance took place. Next, 14 students from Pete’s alma mater, Western Hills High School, sang the national anthem. Members of the Rose family delivered the official game ball and served as the game’s honorary captains before the Reds and White Sox took the field.
Throughout the game, the ballpark’s videoboards featured iconic footage from Pete’s career, along with special tributes and old clips from former teammates and others talking about Rose. Reds manager Terry Francona, who both played with and for Pete, former teammates Johnny Bench and the late Joe Morgan, and Big Red Machine manager, the late Sparky Anderson, were among those featured.
Pete Rose is a criminal and should not be honored.
Bad boy with a bat