The Cincinnati Reds paid tribute to Pete Rose on Wednesday night – one day after Major League Baseball removed the all-time hits leader and others from the permanently ineligible list.

Reds fans packed the city en route to Great American Ballpark to watch the team celebrate one of the best players in the franchise’s history as he will get a chance to have a plaque in Cooperstown, New York, in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Chants of “Pete! Pete!” were heard throughout the park. The stadium held a pregame moment of silence and a choir from Rose’s high school in Cincinnati performed the national anthem. Fans wore Rose jerseys and highlights were shown on the video board throughout the game.

“It was awesome,” Pete Rose Jr. said of the ceremony, via MLB.com. “It’s home. These are all friends and family. I drove 15 minutes from home to get to the ballpark. I will drive 15 minutes back. I try to explain to people, they don’t really get the aspect of Dad being here. I try to tell them he’s our Babe Ruth. If you’re from here, he’s our Babe Ruth.”

He added that the family could not have asked “for a better night.”

Andrew Scheidt and his 1-year-old son, Matthew Scheidt, visit the bronze statue of former Cincinnati Reds player Pete Rose outside the Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Cincinnati before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Pete Rose’s daughter, Fawn Rose, speaks as Reds Hall of Fame players, from left to right, George Foster, Barry Larkin and Eric Davis listen during Pete Rose Night events before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Rose was placed on the ineligible list after the revelation that he gambled on the Reds to win – both as a player and a manager. After years of claiming innocence, Rose admitted to gambling in 2004. He also faced accusations of sexual misconduct in the years after he retired from the game.

MARINERS STAR JULIO RODRÍGUEZ ROBS YANKEES’ TRENT GRISHAM OF HOME RUN WITH SPECTACULAR CATCH

He lamented in his final interview that he would only get into the Hall of Fame after he died. It is a prophecy that took one step closer to reality on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, however, he was celebrated.

Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini hugs Pete Rose’s daughter Fawn Rose as they meet on the field for Pete Rose Night events before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

“My dad used to tell me all the stories of how hard he played every time,” Reds reliever Brent Suter said. “You know, never took a play off, always was running hard 90 (feet), sliding headfirst, you know, getting dirty every game. … This was a guy who just embodied toughness, grit.”

Reds manager Terry Francona also spoke of Rose. He was a teammate of Rose’s with Cincinnati and the Montreal Expos.

“He played baseball with as much passion and competitive enjoyment as you ever could,” he said. “You wanted to be on his team.”

Now, the debate begins over whether Rose should be in the Hall of Fame and whether it was right to keep him out for as long as baseball did.

Cincinnatio Reds fans stand during a Pete Rose Night event before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

“I know I oversimplify things. But what Pete did as a player, if he’s not in, there is no Hall of Fame,” Francona said. “But I get it. There are some things that … I’m glad I don’t have to make (those) decisions.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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CITY SECTION BOYS VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS

SEMIFINALS

DIVISION II

#1 VAAS d. #4 Fairfax, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18

#2 Mendez d. #3 Banning, 25-17, 20-25, 25-18, 26-24

DIVISION III

#1 East Valley d. #4 SOCES, 20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21

#7 Maywood CES d. #19 San Fernando, 3-2

DIVISION IV

#8 Hamilton d. #5 Animo Venice, 25-13, 29-27, 25-20

#10 Port of Los Angeles d. #11 University Prep Value, 25-19, 22-25, 28-26, 19-25, 15-10

DIVISION V

#1 Wilson d. #4 Animo South Los Angeles, 25-21, 25-16, 25-18

#3 Harbor Teacher d. #2 Dorsey, 25-21, 26-24, 25-20

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

FINALS

At Birmingham

DIVISION I

#2 Carson vs. #1 Taft, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION III

#7 Maywood CES vs. #1 East Valley, 5 p.m.

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

FINALS

At Birmingham

OPEN DIVISION

#3 El Camino Real vs. #1 Venice, 6 p.m.

DIVISION II

#1 Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences vs. #2 Mendez, 3:15 p.m.

DIVISION IV

#10 Port of Los Angeles vs. #8 Hamilton, 12:30 p.m.

DIVISION V

#3 Harbor Teacher vs. #1 Wilson, 10 a.m.

Rory McIlroy is fresh off finishing his career Grand Slam, finally winning the Masters, and earning his place on top of the golf world.

As he geared up for the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, McIlroy was asked about his icy reception toward Bryson DeChambeau during the Masters. The two were paired up together for the final round at Augusta and DeChambeau mentioned that McIlroy “didn’t talk” to him once during it.

McIlroy brushed it off when he talked to reporters on Wednesday.

“I don’t know what he was expecting,” he said. “I mean, we’re trying to win the Masters. I’m not gonna try to be his best mate right there.

“Look, everyone approaches the game in different ways. And yeah, I was focused on myself and what I needed to do and that’s really all that it was. It wasn’t anything against him. I felt like that’s what I needed to do to try to get the best out of myself that day.”

Rory McIlroy speaks during a news conference at the PGA Championship at the Quail Hollow Club, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Matt York)

GOLFER HUNTER MAHAN SUGGESTS PGA CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE SHARES SIMILARITIES WITH THE KARDASHIANS

DeChambeau said last month that McIlroy appeared to be in the zone.

Despite a blunder-filled day, McIlroy completed the career slam with his first win at Augusta National after defeating Justin Rose in a one-hole playoff on 18 after Rose missed a 15-foot putt for birdie. 

Bryson DeChambeau during a practice round for the PGA Championship, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

McIlroy will now look for a third PGA Championship title. He won in 2012 and 2014.

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