On September 11 in sports history, one of the most significant events occurred in 1985 when Cincinnati Reds player-manager Pete Rose recorded his 4,192nd career hit, surpassing the legendary Ty Cobb's all-time hits record that had stood for over 50 years.
The historic moment took place in the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. With the count at 2-1, Rose lined a single to left-center field off Padres pitcher Eric Show, sending the crowd of 47,237 into a frenzy. The game was immediately paused as Rose's teammates rushed onto the field to congratulate him, and he was given a seven-minute standing ovation by the adoring fans.
Rose, known as "Charlie Hustle" for his relentless playing style, had been chasing Cobb's record for months. He had tied the record the previous day, and the anticipation for his next hit had reached a fever pitch. Fittingly, Rose's record-breaking hit was a classic example of his signature style – a hard-hit ball up the middle that found a gap in the defense.
The achievement was a testament to Rose's longevity and consistency over his 24-year career. He finished his career with 4,256 hits, still the most in Major League Baseball history. Rose's record-breaking hit is considered one of the greatest moments in baseball history and solidified his place among the sport's all-time greats, despite his later controversies and lifetime ban from baseball due to gambling allegations.
