After some looking around online, I found out that Pete Rose signs autographs (basically) everyday in Vegas! He has a deal with the superstore "Field of Dreams", in the shops of Caesar's Palace. After talking with Corinna, about visiting the store, we decided that it could be an interesting autograph to obtain.
What happens in Vegas...gets blogged?!!!
For those of you who don't know who Pete Rose is...I'm just to say this; He is the ultimate baseball hero to some, and the ultimate baseball villain to others. He is controversial, to say the least. He's a 3 time World Series champ, 17 time All-Star selection, 1963 NL Rookie of the Year, 1975 World Series MVP, 2 time Gold Glove winner, and a Silver Slugger award winner.
His greatest achievement is arguably the greatest record in all of baseball...
Pete Rose has 4256 career hits! 2nd place belongs to (who I feel is the greatest ball player of all time) Ty Cobb, with 4191 hits.
Rose actually owns 2 more MLB records. 3,562 career games played and 14,053 career at-bats.
He's arguably one of the greatest of all time.
Now...the villain part.
In August 1989, three years after he retired as an active player, Rose agreed to permanent ineligibility from baseball amidst accusations that he gambled on baseball games while playing for and managing the Reds, including claims that he bet on his own team. In 2004, after years of public denial, he admitted to betting on baseball and on, but not against, the Reds.
After Rose's ban was instated, the Baseball Hall of Fame formally voted to ban those on the "permanently ineligible" list from induction. Previously, those who were banned had been excluded by informal agreement among voters. The issue of Rose's possible reinstatement and election to the Hall of Fame remains a contentious one throughout baseball.
So, I decided that I wouldn't get Rose on my HOF autograph baseball, and just get him on a normal MLB baseball...hopefully on the sweetspot, with an inscription.
After flying out of Detroit, transferring in Dallas, we arrived in Las Vegas. 2 days later...we visited Caesar's Palace, and Field of Dreams!
Here's my encounter with "Charlie Hustle"!
Pretty cool, eh?!
I asked him to inscribe "I enjoyed Montreal baseball", but he seemed hesitant to put that. I told him that I was Canadian, and then he mentioned that he got his 4000th hit as an Montreal Expo, on opening day. I instantly said sure, as I wanted a little bit of "Canadiana" as an inscription!
I'm incredibly pleased with my newest autographed baseball!
Thanks for your time!
C
PS; After leaving Caesar's Palace, we went back to New York, New York...our hotel in Las Vegas. Corinna and I, went to the Sports Bar to watch Monday Night Football and have dinner...in hopes of watching the Falcons win, so I could win my little parlay! While there, I spotted NHL All-Star Sheldon Souray! As he was leaving, I asked him for a quick photo...which he was happy to do!
Star spotting...not bad, eh?!
By the way...the Falcons lost.
