Sports Then and Now

Pete Rose became baseball's all-time hits leader on September 11, 1985.

From the time he entered the major leagues in 1963, it was obvious that Pete Rose was a different breed of baseball player. Nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” for his tendency to run to first base after receiving a walk, he played every inning with an urgency that allowed his performance to exceed his level of God given talent.

After entering the league as a second baseman, Rose moved around the field during his 16 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds playing more than 500 games at second base, third base, leftfield and rightfield.

However, what rarely changed was his place in the batting order. From the beginning, it was obvious that Rose was a hit machine and a run producer from the leadoff spot.

As a rookie, Rose was named the National League Rookie of the Year after hitting .273 with 170 hits and 101 runs scored. He went on to eclipse 200 hits and 100 runs scored 10 times while leading the league in hits seven times, runs four times and batting average on three occasions.

Though not a home run hitter (Rose hit only 160 homers in 24 seasons), Rose earned 12 All-Star berths with the Reds and was named the National League MVP in 1973. He also helped the Reds to four National league pennants and two World Series titles. Read the rest of this entry →

Tom Seaver

The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Week was the staff ace on a team that pulled one of the greatest upsets in baseball history 40 years ago.

“Tom Terrific” Seaver won the first of his three career Cy Young Awards in 1969 and won a crucial game in the World Series as the New York Mets captivated the nation by winning the 1969 World Series over the seemingly invincible Baltimore Orioles.

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