ALL-STARS: ROSE’S HUSTLE STOOD OUT
CINCINNATI On Aug. 24, 1989, Pete Rose accepted a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball. In 1992, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Joc Pederson and Kris Bryant were born. So it’s not surprising there would be a disconnect between many 2015 All-Stars and the most beloved Cincinnati Red. With Rose set to be honored before Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Cincinnati, how do those too young to have watched him play — or barely old enough to remember — feel about the sport’s all-time hits king? USA TODAY Sports explored:
Bryce Harper, 22, Washington Nationals
“Only thing I can really remember is sliding into third base with his hair going crazy and him running over the catcher in the All-Star Game. Pete’s a great player, he always was, and I have nothing but respect for the way he played. I’ll definitely go say hello and tell him I enjoying watching old videos — things like that — of him playing. He’s definitely one of the guys that I respected the most playing.”
Darren O’Day, 32, Baltimore Orioles
You’d like to see everyone who’s deserving get into the Hall. But every year when you come to spring training, it’s the one rule they read to us: No betting, no betting, no betting. It’s a pretty easy rule to follow.”
Brock Holt, 27, Boston Red Sox
“He played the game super hard, kind of the way I try to play. It’s hard to go out and play that hard every single day. You’re not going to be 100%, but it’s about giving what you’ve got that night, and he did that. And obviously one of the best hitters to ever play. I’m looking forward to maybe ... shaking his hand.”
Glen Perkins, 32, Minnesota Twins
“I remember the swan dives into bases and him running over Ray Fosse in the All-Star Game — I’ve seen those things. And he was an unbelievable hitter.”
Chris Archer, 26, Tampa Bay Rays
“I have no impression because I’ve never interacted. I don’t try to go strictly off how the media depicts someone. So I can’t really say. Wasn’t he Charlie Hustle? That speaks for itself. You see him always running, diving hard, leaving the ground. Honestly, more than that, more than what everybody else knows, through the media, I know nothing.”
Kris Bryant, 23, Chicago Cubs
“I think every ballplayer should go out there and see how hard he played. I try to go out there and do the same thing.”