1978 Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds Game-Used Home Jersey - MEARS A9.5 & Provenance

• Sold For: $21,000
• Year: 1978
• Auction: 2024 Fall
• Lot #: 3
• Auction Category: Featured

In a career filled with great years, 1978 stands out as a big season for the recently departed Pete Rose. From Rose's final year of his first stint with the Cincinnati Reds comes this 1978 game-used home jersey. During the magical '78 season Rose recorded his 3,000th career hit on May 5th, on his home turf at Riverfront Stadium, to become the 13th member of the "3,000 Hit Club". Five weeks later Rose started a hitting streak that went on for 44 games and tied the NL record. A battler through every single action he ever took on a baseball diamond, Rose relentlessly squeezed every drop of talent and ability out of his body and mind, taking great pride in his countless accomplishments. Owning a jersey "Charlie Hustle" actually wore during his historic '78 campaign, gives real meaning to the expression "pride of ownership"! This vintage gamer shows excellent signs of authentic use/wear, including multiple stains, some of which appear to be blood. Rose has signed this game-used jersey on both the front and back. Located below the Reds logo patch on the left breast, the autograph on the front is slightly faded to the ("8.5") strength. The signature on the back is outstanding, radiating ("9.5") potency. Positioned below his name and number "14" patches, this bold autograph is accompanied by the thrilling inscription "1978 44 Game Hit Streak". A Rawlings factory label inside the front tail, indicates the jersey size "44". Adjacent to the factory label is an identifier tag that reads "Set 1 1978," for the uniform set number and the season date. Our consignor has provided a handwritten letter of provenance from a Cincinnati dealer stating he bought this jerseys and several others in the early 1980s, from Rose's first wife, who was divorced from Rose in 1980. The accompanying LOA from Mears assigns this 1978 Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds home jersey, a grade of "A9.5". There is also a placard from the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, where the jersey was once displayed. Full LOA from MEARS for the jersey game-use. Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA for the two autographs. Opening Bid $5,000.