Ever since he debuted as a cocky Red rookie in the spring of 1963, Pete Rose worked harder than anyone to be the best ballplayer on the field. His singular drive to succeed led to his steadily building up a tally of hits that found him chasing one of baseball’s most hallowed records: Ty Cobb’s 4,191 career base hits. Five years into his career he reached the 1,000 mark, then 2,000 in 1973. In 1978 he became just the 13th player in history to hit number 3,000. Then, on April 13, 1984, Pete’s tally stood at 3,999. That day in April was significant for another reason: 21 years before he had gotten his first major league hit. Now a Montreal Expo and more than two decades later he would become just the second man in history to reach 4,000. The momentous hit came in the bottom of the fourth. With a runner on first, Rose faced Philadelphia’s Jerry Koosman, and hit a liner to right field. Rose raced full-out, leaving his helmet behind on the basepath as he rounded first and came up with a double. The game was held up for two minutes as the crowd roared with admiration and Phillies shortstop Ivan DeJesus presented the historic ball to a beaming Rose.

This glove was worn by Rose during the 1984 season. Pete’s Mizuno Go15 model fielder’s glove shows substantial game use. Constructed of Mizuno’s blue tanned steer hide with blue tanned laces, this is a visually attractive piece. As one would expect from anything associated with a player as hard-nosed as Pete Rose, heavy wear is present in the pocket area, face of the webbing and throughout the body. The wrist strap label, though present, is frayed and worn. Perspiration staining is present on the wrist strap and inside the glove. Marking this glove high above a standard Pete Rose gamer is the inscription found on the inside of the pinky finger. In white ink, Pete has signed his name and inscribed “Hit-4000th.” Please note that despite the inscription from Rose this glove has been conclusively determined to have not been worn during that 4,000th hit game. A one-of-a-kind piece worn by Pete Rose as he honed-in on Ty Cobb’s legendary career hits record. This glove comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (1G00696) for the game use and a LOA from JSA (BB80401) for the signature and inscription.

Auction Notepad