l, running out everything, and diving head first into bases with regularity. Few players can or will ever match the passion that Pete Rose played with.
             Rose was the leadoff hitter for Cincinnati's "big red machine" which was a force in baseball in the 1970's. Pete proved that he could be counted on to hit .300 every season, and play wherever he was needed. Pete's skill and longevity showed through when he broke the 3000 hit barrier, off Steve Rogers in 1978. He was playing for the Reds at the time. 3000 hits is something that a player dreams of getting during his career. It is a milestone that is not reached by about 99% of all baseball players, but it was just a stepping stone for Pete Rose. Since he was not nearing retirement yet, he knew he had a chance at something that was unheralded, the 4000 hit mark. There was only one other person who ever played the game that had 4000 hits, Ty Cobb. To get 4000 hits, and have your name up there with Cobb was probably the best thing that any player could hope for. Rose got to 4000 in the Montreal Expos home opener in 1984. The next mark for Rose was to break Ty Cobb's career hit mark. He did this on September 11th, 1985, in the first inning off San Diego's Eric Show. Rose was playing for Cincinnati at the time. He admits that when he went into the dugout after that hit, it was the only time he ever cried on a baseball field. "I'm a tough S.O.B., but I just couldn't take it" said Rose following his crowning achievement. There are now only two players that have over 4000 hits. Ty Cobb and Pete Rose are the two, and it will be a long while before a third name is added to that list.
             When Pete Rose retired after the 1986 season his career stats and records were: Next Page ------*
             It is very clear when you look at the stats and the records that Pete Rose owns that he is truly one of the elite players in the history of Major League Baseball. This statement was confirmed ...