Pete Rose fans from all over the world travel to GABP to visit

CINCINNATI, Ohio (WKRC) – The love for Pete Rose knows no bounds and fans traveled from far and wide to pay tribute to their hero on Sunday.

Tony Lin grew up in Taiwan but moved to the Queen City in the '80s just in time to become a big fan of Pete Rose.

“His determination and commitment to the sport is what I envy him most,” Lin said. “He's the player who made headlines when I came to Cincinnati, so I watched him play and watched him become manager and I liked him as a person, that's why I like the Reds.”

Lin isn't the only fan of the Hit King who hails from somewhere other than the Tri-State. A New York fan has a special connection to Pete Rose.

It was an emotional day for Albany native Eric Wagner as he celebrated his role model, Charlie Hustle.

“I grew up in New York. People ask me why I'm a Reds fan and I just tell them 'Pete Rose,'” Wagner said. “I can't put into words how much he meant to me as a child. His idealism of playing to win, never settling for second place and simply never settling for second best.”

While most fans said goodbye at Great American Ball Park, Wagner was one of the few who had the opportunity to say hello during Rose's lifetime.

“I met him in 2014 when he was manager of the Bridgeport Marlins in Connecticut for a day,” Wagner said. “It was a very special experience because I was standing in line to meet my childhood hero.”

The Reds are planning a celebration for the Hit King during the spring 2025 season. The team will host a special “Pete Rose Day” during their game against the Chicago White Sox on May 14th. First pitch is scheduled for 7:14 p.m. that evening in honor of his number 14.