Then Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb’s record on September 11, 1985, it marked a seismic shift in Major League Baseball. Standing beside him that historic night was his 15-year-old son, Pete Rose Jr., sharing the moment as his father cemented his place as the all-time hit leader. That legacy loomed large not just over baseball but within the Rose family, with Pete Jr. eventually following in his father’s footsteps to debut in the MLB for the Cincinnati Reds-the same team where his father became an icon.
Rose Sr.’s influence stretched far beyond his impressive 4,256 career hits and three World Series championships. His gritty, never-say-die attitude made him a hero in Cincinnati and earned him a permanent spot in baseball history. The Rose family was synonymous with baseball royalty, despite the controversies that later clouded the elder Rose’s career. But to Pete Rose Jr., his father wasn’t just the “Hit King”-he was a hero, a mentor, and above all, a beloved “Pops.”
On Tuesday, Pete Rose Jr. took to social media to express his heartbreak over the loss of his father, who passed away at the age of 83. Sharing a personal tribute on X, Rose Jr. posted a screenshot of a cherished photo: a young Pete Rose preparing to take the field for the Reds.“I wasn’t old enough when this was taken,” Rose Jr. wrote, “but once I was, we always walked out together! I will never forget those walks, Pop, as that was our time!! My idol, My hero, most of all My Pops!! Rest Easy Pops!!!”
The sentiment resonated with fans and teammates alike, who remember Pete Rose not just for his achievements but for his relentless work ethic and passion for the game. Rose Sr. was part of the legendary “Big Red Machine” of the 1970s, leading the Reds to back-to-back World Series victories in 1975 and 1976. He would add a third ring to his collection in 1980 with the Philadelphia Phillies. His 17 All-Star Game appearances and Rookie of the Year and MVP awards only scratched the surface of his storied career.
