This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2020
Pete Rose won three World Series rings, three batting titles and two Gold Gloves, but the achievement that will forever define his career is his major league record 4,256 hits. After winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1963, Pete struggled as a sophomore with his hometown Cincinnati Reds. “Charlie Hustle” then came back in 1965 with a monster season, batting .312 and leading the National League in hits with 209 to go along with 117 runs and 81 RBI. During that campaign, Rose earned his first All-Star nod and got the start at second base for the senior circuit. In the ’65 Midsummer Classic, played July 13th at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Rose went 0-for-2 with a walk in the seven-hole as the NL won a tight 6-5 ballgame.
This offered bat was issued to Pete Rose for his first MLB All-Star appearance, but for whatever reason he never swung it in the game. Instead, it was kept for posterity, extremely well-preserved, and later blessed by Pete with his autograph and “Hit King 4256” inscription on the barrel in nearly perfect 9/10 blue marker. The Adirondack professional model ash bat with “ROSE” and “1965 ALL STARS” stamped on the barrel and vintage flame-burned finish measures 35” and weighs 32.5 ounces. The model number “113A” is stamped into the knob end. Along the smooth handle is the notation “Pete Rose All-Star Bat” in brown marker, perhaps written by a clubhouse manager or Rose himself. It should be noted that the 1965 All-Star gamer Pete did use has yet to surface, making this bat an amazing consolation prize as the first of his 17 All-Star appearances. Includes LOA from bat expert John Taube of PSA/DNA as well as a full LOA from JSA for the autograph.