White Sox to Face Reds on Pete Rose Night
The Chicago White Sox will take on the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on Wednesday for Pete Rose Night, an event honoring the MLB’s all-time hits leader, who was recently reinstated from the permanently ineligible list on Tuesday.
CINCINNATI – The White Sox are in town for a significant event at Great American Ballpark.
Wednesday marks Pete Rose Night, a celebration of the Reds’ legendary player and manager, a three-time World Series champion and 17-time All-Star. Rose’s baseball career in Cincinnati spanned from 1963 to 1989.
The game is set to begin at 7:14 p.m. ET in tribute to Rose’s iconic No. 14 jersey, which was retired in 2016 upon his induction into the Reds Hall of Fame. Fans attending will receive a replica No. 14 jersey, with additional festivities including a pregame Q&A with Reds Hall of Famers, a video tribute, a moment of remembrance, and more.
Pete Rose Night comes just a day after MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s landmark decision. Rose had been on MLB’s permanently ineligible list since 1989 due to betting on Major League games. However, on Tuesday, Manfred ruled that the ban would be lifted upon the death of the disciplined individual. Rose, who passed away at age 83 on September 30, 2024, is now eligible for Hall of Fame consideration, along with 16 others.
The ruling also impacts former White Sox players. On Tuesday, the team issued a statement:
“Major League Baseball’s decision today opens the door for 17 players, including eight members of the 1919 White Sox team, to be considered for the Hall of Fame. These players will have the chance to be reviewed by the Hall of Fame’s Classic Era Committee in December 2027, and the White Sox are confident that the current process will fairly assess each player’s contributions to the game.”
White Sox manager Will Venable’s father, Max, played for the Reds from 1985-87, during which he overlapped for two years with Rose, both as a player and as a manager. Before Tuesday’s game, Will reflected on his father’s experiences with Rose, who holds MLB records for hits, at-bats, plate appearances, and games played.
“More than anything, I think it was his toughness,” said Venable. “He was a guy who played extremely hard every time. I remember my dad sharing a lot of stories about that. And of course, his ability to hit—he was always focused on playing hard.”
On the topic of Rose’s reinstatement, Venable shared his thoughts:
“It’s interesting. Obviously, Pete has a complex legacy, and people have different opinions on it. But overall, I think I’m happy to see it. His accomplishments on the field are incredible. My dad played with him, and he always had positive things to say about him. His ability was extraordinary. So, I think his skill and what he achieved will be acknowledged.”
Whether Manfred’s decision was overdue or not is something Venable prefers to leave to others to debate.
“I don’t know if that’s for me to say,” he said. “Every situation has its process. He broke the rules, and there were consequences. But I’m happy to see he’s been reinstated, and I know fans are pleased as well.”
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