Pete Rose Leaving Field of Dreams Las Vegas

Pete Rose's seven year run with Las Vegas Field of Dreams is over. The Las Vegas Journal reports that Rose is no longer signing autographs at the Caesar's Palace store.

The move seems to have taken place immediately. The StarsLive365 website, that holds the Field of Dreams autograph schedule, has Dick Butkus, Andre Dawson and Joe Montana listed for signings. I went to this store quite a few times to get Pete's autograph.

I thought everything in the store was over-priced and you had to get special permission from Pete to sign something you brought in, but the overall experience was great. You get to sit right next to him as he signs your item, you get a few minutes to talk to him and you get a photo taken.

A few years ago Pete did a pretty cool autographcast from Las Vegas, I blogged about it here. At the time, I thought it was awesome. I could talk to him on the phone, he signed my item and then had it on the camera. Of course today with facetime and Skype, it's not as big of a deal, but I haven't seen other companies try running with this yet.

Pete may not be done with Las Vegas. According to the LVJ, Rose could be on his way to Luxor - further down on the Las Vegas Strip. A year ago there were some rumors that Luxor would be getting into the memorabilia business, perhaps this is part of it.

Reds Missed an Opportunity

The Reds could take a page from the Toronto Blue Jays marketing department.

Last week I blogged about #twittertuesdays at a Blue Jays game. It was a great experience for my family. We were able to meet people, get involved in the game and I could have conversations with other fans cheering for the Blue Jays. (I'm still a Mets fan, but I like to cheer for the home team when I'm at a new stadium.)

September 11 was Pete Rose #4192 celebration day at the Reds game. For the first time in over 20 years, Pete was allowed on the home field of the Cincinnati Reds. It was a great video tribute and it was amazing to see Pete on the field.

But the Reds really missed out on an opportunity to socialize with their customers. They didn't have a hashtag for the event. I twittered from touring the Reds Hall of Fame, from my seats, the concessions and after the ceremony. Using the tweet-see app, I could see hundreds of other people doing the same thing.

Instead of promoting a hashtag, like #4192, and following the conversation. The Reds marketing arm did they same thing they always do at a game: Send their pretty spokesperson to the vending areas to talk about great hotdogs for $10 and a 10% discount on hats at the gift shop. Really? Yes, really.

What they should have done:

• Promote and follow a hashtag - #4192 is just an example. 
• Get stories from people who came to see Pete on the field. I sat next to someone who drove to the game from Iowa to see Pete. 
• Use twitpics of people in their Rose jerseys on the jumbo screen. 
• Create an online petition to send to Bud Selig for Pete to be reinstated. 
• Even talk about the cool Pete Rose print give-away at the Reds HOF. 

They missed an opportunity to connect, engage and turn their customers into evangelists.

Pete Rose 25 Year Anniversary - Free Print

I attended the Pete Rose 4192 celebration on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. Everyone who went through the Reds Hall of Fame received a free print.

The picture has Pete's swing from Sept. 11, 1985. I have the picture of Pete on first base with Steve Garvey, but I didn't have one with the swing. It's a pretty nice print I'll get signed some day. One in ten given-away at the Reds Hall of Fame were already signed - I wasn't lucky enough to win one of those.

Pete Rose 25 Year Anniversary - I Will Be There

The Reds are celebrating Pete Rose's 25th anniversary of hit #4192. Before the game on Sept. 11, Pete will be allowed on the field for the celebration and I'm taking the family to the game.

According to the Reds website, there will be a video tribute and the appearance by the Hit King. 

I grew up in New Jersey and my first memories of Pete Rose was seeing him in a Phillies uniform. I started to follow him then and I'm still a huge fan of his on-the-field baseball accomplishments.

I remember when he broke Ty Cobb's all-time hit record. I was in grade school at the time and that night I was probably doing homework or something while my mom was cleaning and listening to the radio. During a song, the DJ interrupted (Pete was still very popular in Philly) to give the "Ladies and Gentleman, Pete Rose just broke Ty Cobb's all-time hit record" announcement.

My mom and I immediately turned off the radio and turned on the TV. We only had the 3 major channels in our townhouse at the time and all three channels were carrying the live video from Riverfront Stadium. It's one of those memories as a kid that you'll never forget. I still have the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Enquirer from Sept. 12 that has all the coverage.

This Saturday, 25 years later, I'm taking my family to almost the same spot where Pete broke one of baseball's biggest records for the celebration. It's a pretty big deal for me.

I don't know if it'll be one of those memories my kids will remember 25 years from now, but I know I will.

We're going to the Reds Hall of Fame before the game and I'll tweet and send some twitpics throughout the evening on twitter: @JamesRyanJ.

One of One Million from Topps - Pete Rose 1986

I ordered a few of the cards I received from the Topps Million Card Giveaway. This is the 1986 Pete Rose card that I previously blogged about.

Once I placed the order, it took less than a week to get here, the order process was easy, and the card is in very good condition. I'm pretty happy with this one, the giveaway and the service Topps provided.

Now I'm really looking forward to Saturday, 9/11, Reds game. They are honoring the 25th anniversary of hit #4192.

Pete Rose Returns to Cincinnati to Celebrate 4192

An update to my previous post, Baseball's all-time Hit King, Pete Rose will be on the field at the Great American Ballpark to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of his 4,192nd career hit.

Source - Cincinnati Reds Blog.

Ironic and Sad: 25 Year Anniversary of Pete Rose Hit 4192

The Cincinnati Reds have permission to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of Pete Rose breaking Ty Cobb's hit record and Pete's finally allowed on the field with them to celebrate. 

This is great news, except Pete can't make the actual Sept. 11th anniversary date. Why? He has a previous commitmment with a casino! Are you kidding me?

Pete will be at the Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, IN for a roast.  Tickets are $200 a piece for the event.

The Reds may have the on-field celebration Sept. 10 or Sept 12.

Pete Rose is Back in Cincinnati to Watch Stephen Strasburg Pitch

Pete Rose is back! Well, for one night anyway he was at the Reds/Nationals game to see Stephen Strasburg pitch.

I didn't think Pete was allowed anywhere near a baseball field. I wonder if he signed autographs for people saying, "I'm sorry I bet on baseball" at the Reds game.

Pete Rose 1969 Topps Deckle

I added a new Pete Rose card to my collection this weekend. My local card store had a 1969 Topps Deckle edge card.

The "deckle" is the rough edge part that isn't easy to see on this scanned image. The autograph is printed on there by Topps - this isn't an on-card Pete Rose autograph.

I've wanted to get a Rose deckle for some time, but my card store actually had a cheap one. From what I understand, the 1974 Deckle edge is pretty expensive. I'm happy with this 1969 version.

Pete Rose is Too Busy for Me

I'm in Las Vegas next week and I was trying to arrange a quick interview with Pete Rose. I think it would be great to hear Pete's take on sports cards, memorabilia, and his new deal with Upper Deck.

After several emails and calls, I didn't get a response. Maybe next time.

Trying to Get a Pete Rose Interview

I go to Las Vegas about once a year and each time I try to get a Pete Rose autograph at his location in the Caesar's Palace Forum Shops. I've done the baseballs, jersey and bat autographs, but this year I'm trying something new.

I'm trying to get an interview with the Hit King!

I'll be in Las Vegas next month and I'm trying to arrange a 10 minute interview with Pete about sports cards and memorabilia. Following his recent deal with Upper Deck, I thought this would be a good time to see if Pete can't tell us about his baseball card stories, who he collected and what was his reaction they made the deal with Upper Deck.

We'll see if it happens, but I'm making the attempt. I'll report back if I get a phone call or email back from the Rose camp.

A $21 Million Pete Rose Artwork

I was looking on eBay for some cool Pete Rose items to get signed when I came across this piece of . . . art. The item is listed as: "Tommervik Deco Pete Rose Portrait Baseball Painting Art."

Even if I had $21 Million to spend on art, I don't think I could spend it on a picture of Pete Rose.

Pete Rose to Upper Deck - Dual Autograph Request

I'm looking forward to the Pete Rose cards with Upper Deck's 2010 Goudey card set. Last week UD announced the agreement with Pete Rose.

I was never a big fan of the Sportskings cards that recently came out with Rose cards and autographs. They were priced out of my budget and I'm not a huge fan of their look/appearance. Hopefully the UD Goudey cards will look sharp and fit in my card collecting budget.

I'd like to see a dual autograph card with Rose and Garvey. The picture with the two of them in it was taken right after Rose picked up hit #4,192.

I have an 8x10 of Rose and Garvey with both of their signatures that I'll post on here some day. Garvey signs pretty frequently at the Rose Las Vegas location in Caesar's Palace, but I think a card with both autographs would be awesome.

Bloggers Helping Bloggers - Frank White Autograph

Special thanks to Zach from the Autographed Cards blog.

Zach is going to the Kansas City Royals Fanfest on January 15 and offered to help get autographs. I'm not necessarily a Royals fan, but I desperately need Frank White's autograph. Frank White's autograph will complete my 1980 World Series autograph story baseball.

With one out, in game 6, Frank White hit a pop-up down the first base line. Bob Boone chased after it and tipped the ball just before Pete Rose could catch it from hitting the ground. Pete spiked the ball to the turf and ran back to first base.

Pete Rose signed the a 1980 World Series baseball for me saying, "I caught Boone's bobble in the 9th."Bob Boone last year added, "I'm the one that hustled on the play." What can Zach get Frank White to add?! I can't wait to find out.

Thank you Zach!

Pete Rose's Creepy Hand Casting

For $500 you can own an official casting of Pete Rose's hand finished in bronze. The casting comes with an autographed Pete Rose baseball and a COA. There are only 303 made available.

I like Pete Rose memorabilia, but this is a bit extreme. Sort of reminds me of the The Marriage Ref Fake Leg episode.

Pete Rose and Bob Boone Autograph Story Baseball

About six years ago, I decided to start an autograph project that did more than collect signatures. I wanted it to be different. I wanted it to tell a story.

Pete Rose is one of my favorite players (add boo/hiss sounds here) and I wanted to do a project with him. "Sorry I bet on baseball" was not for me, but the idea is the same.

I decided to target the 1980 World Champion Phillies. With one out, in game 6, Frank White hit a pop-up down the first base line. Bob Boone chased after and tipped the ball just before Pete Rose could catch it from hitting the ground. Pete spiked the ball to the turf and ran back to first base.

Many credit Pete with making a great play, but Bob Boone remembers it a bit different.

While on vacation in Las Vegas a few years ago, I asked Pete Rose to autograph my 1980 World Series baseball with the inscription "I caught Boone's bobble in the 9th."

On Saturday, August 14, I asked Bob Boone to add to the story on the baseball. He read what Pete inscribed and I asked him to add something with his name. I was thinking, "Nice catch Pete" or "I should get the assist." Boone did even better.

Bob Boone added, "I'm the one that hustled on the play." Awesome.

Pete Rose - Still Waiting for Bud Selig to Flip a Coin

During a question and answer session with the Baseball writers on Tuesday, Bud Selig said the Pete Rose reinstatement case "is under review."

My opinion is probably in the minority, but I'm a big Pete fan and I think he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

However I think the majority of fans believe Bud Selig should rule on the reinstatement case.

For twelve years, the appeal file has sat in Selig's in-box! I don't think it's fair for any judge or ruling body to receive an appeal or reinstatement case and then not make a decision on it for over a decade.

Bud Selig needs to rule on the Pete Rose case and be done with it.

Finding Pete Rose at the Local Card Store

I found this little treasure at the card store last weekend - a 1977 Topps Pete Rose card (#450) was waiting for me just beyond the glass case!

I didn't have this one so I couldn't leave the store without it.

In 1977 Pete played in every game for the 4th consecutive year and for the first time he played every game at 3B. He saw time at 3B, RF, and LF the previous two seasons. At the plate, Pete hit .311 with over 200 hits.

Why is this Pete Rose Card Graded?

Am I missing something? I've blogged about Rose many times, I have several of his cards and autographs, but I can't understand why this 1973 Topps card is even graded. Please help me if I'm missing the obvious.

The BGS 9.5 grade has pushed the current eBay bid price over $50. Previous auction sales of this card without a grade have sold between $8 and $22.

Personally, I don't like the picture in this card and it also looks like he just hit a pop-up on the infield.

Mr. T - I Pitty Pete Rose the Fool

I guess Mr. T isn't even a Pete Rose fan!

Mr. T, speaking in the UK during his "Get Some Nuts" promotional tour , said he turned down the WWE's offer to go in their Hall of Fame because Pete Rose was put in before him.

"WWE asked me to be in the Hall of Fame and I turned it down. You know why? They put Pete Rose in the wrestling Hall of Fame. This guy can't even get into his own Hall of Fame."

How low on the celebrity totem pole have you dropped when you're complaining about other celebrities being inducted into the professional wrestling hall of fame? I'd expect this of Andy Dick, not Mr. T!

Why doesn't this guy have a reality TV show yet? I'm thinking Mr. T could be:

• The next Bachelor
• Celebrity Apprentice
• Date My Mom
• VH1 Chance of Love with Mr. T
• Iron Chef
• Joe Millionaire