Cincinnati Reds to dedicate Pete Rose statue in June

Rose fourth member of Big Red Machine to get statue
Tom Tsuchiya working on the design of the Pete Rose statue. Cincinnati Reds photo

Tom Tsuchiya working on the design of the Pete Rose statue. Cincinnati Reds photo

The Cincinnati Reds will unveil a statue of Pete Rose outside Great American Ball Park on June 17, 2017.

It will be the fourth statue of a former member of the Big Red Machine in front of the stadium. All have been designed by local artist Tom Tsuchiya. Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader, joins Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez.

Hal McCoy: Emotional Pete Rose inducted into Reds Hall of Fame

Joe Nuxhall, Frank Robinson, Ernie Lombardi and Ted Kluszewski also have statues on Crosley Terrace.

“The statue of Pete Rose will be the finishing touch on the celebration of Pete here at Great American Ball Park,” said Phil Castellini, Reds Chief Operating Officer, in a press release. “We had the honor of inducting him into the Reds Hall of Fame and retiring his number in 2016, and I know Pete is looking forward to his statue joining his Big Red Machine teammates on Crosley Terrace.”

The Rose statue will feature him in the middle of a headfirst slide.

“All of us independently arrived at the headfirst slide depiction,” said Tsuchiya. “The pose symbolizes his aggressive style of play and the sculpture captures Pete at the moment he touches down.”

A ceremony will take place before a 4:10 p.m. game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fans at the game will receive a replica Pete Rose statue.

REDS FANS CENTRAL: Like our Facebook page to join the conversation

About the Author