A slew of collector’s items at the Reds Hall of Fame—some valuable, some ridiculous—trace the legendary and tangled career of baseball’s most controversial player.
A slew of collector’s items at the Reds Hall of Fame—some valuable, some ridiculous—trace the legendary and tangled career of baseball’s most controversial player. Here’s a trio of cans sporting Rose’s likeness, including a 1976 World Series commemorative Hudepohl beer, a 1978 “Chocolate Flavored Beverage” (which allegedly tasted terrible), and a 1977 can of RC Cola.
Photograph by Aaron M. Conway
This 2015 bobblehead was the first of the Hit King that was officially authorized by the Cincinnati Reds. Every fan in attendance at the Sept. 12 game against the St. Louis Cardinals was offered one.
Photograph by Aaron M. Conway
This Ray Fosse store model Louisville Slugger from the early 1970s was recovered from Marge Schott’s estate and sold by Cowan’s Auctions between 2005 and 2006. Rose’s signature is contemporary, and the emphatic taunt (“We won, he lost”) references his game-winning run scored by steamrolling Fosse in the 1970 All-Star Game.
Photograph by Aaron M. Conway
An autographed baseball celebrating Rose’s induction. Rose will only sign this inscription for the Reds Hall of Fame, where the ball is available for purchase for $160.
Photograph by Aaron M. Conway
Rose’s 1976 National League All-Star Game special edition pillbox-style hat, commemorating the NL’s centennial season and America’s bicentennial. The hats were only worn during pre-game warm-ups.
Photograph by Aaron M. Conway
A copy of the Dowd Report, submitted by John Dowd to Major League Commissioner Bart Giamatti in 1989, which concluded that Rose bet on baseball games while managing the Cincinnati Reds.
Photograph by Aaron M. Conway
A 1963 team photo of the Cincinnati Reds, Rose’s first season. He won the Rookie of the Year award, collecting 170 hits and playing in 157 games, almost all of them as a second baseman.
Photograph by Aaron M. Conway
A game-worn jersey from May 5, 1978, the day Rose collected his 3,000th hit. The Reds lost to the Montreal Expos, 4–3.
Photograph by Aaron M. Conway
A Wheaties Box from the 1985 season, the year Rose broke Ty Cobb’s all-time hit record.
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