Rose returns
One day after being introduced as player-manager, Pete Rose officially made his return to Riverfront Stadium on Friday, August 17.
Rose played 1B and batted second. In his first at-bat, Rose lined a ball to the gap that Cubs CF Bob Dernier misplayed. Rose wheeled around second base and did his classic head-first slide into 3rd. He popped up, slapped his hands together and I swear the stadium shook that night. Charlie Hustle was back!
Rose went 2 for 4 in his return and the Reds beat the Cubs 6-. Boxscore HERE.
Rose took over a team that was 51-70 under manager Vern Rapp. Rose guided the Reds to a 19-22 record the rest of the year. Rose, hitting .259 with Montreal, was re-energized and hit .365 in 26 games with the Reds.