Most athletes would rather sign photos, baseballs and replica jerseys. Pete Rose is just fine with hawking official copies of the document that banished him from baseball. Rose announced Tuesday that he’s making copies available for purchase via www.peterose.comor at Antiquities inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The official document, which is autographed by Rose and notarized in Nevada to ensure authenticity, has never been available for purchase but is being sold for $500 per copy. It is all copper and leather and each page is individually set and bound. The banishment, dated Aug. 23, 1989, is from the office of the commissioner of baseball. It is signed by Bart Giamatti, commissioner of baseball in 1989; Fay Vincent, deputy commissioner of baseball in 1989; Super Agent Rubin Katz and Rose.
“My banishment from baseball is a major event in the history of the game,” said Rose. “The positive support from my fans has been overwhelming since my banishment, and I wanted to offer my supporters and all baseball fans a chance to share an important aspect of my personal history.”
The document is also signed with an “I’m Sorry I Bet on Baseball” inscription by Rose, who will personalize each individually purchased banishment document at no extra charge.
He signed his banishment document from Commissioner Giamatti following accusations that he had bet on baseball while managing the Cincinnati Reds.
Rose is the owner of 14 Major League Baseball records, including most career hits, most games played, most at-bats and most seasons with 150 or more games played. During his playing career, Rose won three World Series rings, three league batting titles, two Gold Glove awards, one Most Valuable Player Award and made 17 All-Star Game appearances.
Throughout the year, Rose signs autographs at Antiquities inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.