CINCINNATI, Ohio (WKRC) – Love for Pete Rose has no borders and fans traveled from near and far on Sunday to pay tribute to their hero.
Tony Lin grew up in Taiwan but moved to the Queen City in the 80s just in time to become a huge fan of Pete Rose.
“His determination and his dedication to the game, that’s how I envy him the most,” said Lin. “He is the player that made the news when I came to Cincinnati, so I watched him play and watched him become a manager, and I liked him as a person, so that’s why I like the Reds.”
Lin is not the only fan of the Hit King who hails from somewhere other than the Tri-State. A New York fan has a special Pete Rose connection.
For Albany native Eric Wagner, it was an emotional day celebrating his role model Charlie Hustle.
“I grew up in New York. People ask me why I’m a Reds fan, and I just tell them ‘Pete Rose,'” said Wagner. “I can’t even put it into words how much he meant to me as a child growing up. His idealism as far as playing to win, not settling for second place at any given time and just never settling for second best.”
While most fans at Great American Ball Park said their goodbyes, Wagner was one of the few who got a chance to say hello while Rose was alive.
“I got to meet him in 2014 when he was manager for a day for the Bridgeport Marlins in Connecticut,” said Wagner. “It was quite the experience because I waited in line to meet my childhood hero.”
The Reds are planning a celebration for the Hit King in the 2025 spring season. The team will host a special “Pete Rose Day” during its game against the Chicago White Sox on May 14. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:14 p.m. that night in honor of his number 14.
