CINCINNATI (Nov. 1, 2016) - The Cincinnati Reds have announced a statue of Reds Hall of Famer Pete Rose will be unveiled and dedicated outside of Great American Ball Park on Saturday, June 17, 2017.<o:p>
The Rose statue will be the fourth at the ballpark honoring members of the Big Red Machine and will join statues of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez, all sculpted by local artist Tom Tsuchiya.<o:p>
"The statue of Pete Rose will be the finishing touch on the celebration of Pete here at Great American Ball Park," said Phil Castellini, Reds Chief Operating Officer. "We had the honor of inducting him into the Reds Hall of Fame and retiring his number in 2016, and I know Pete is looking forward to his statue joining his Big Red Machine teammates on Crosley Terrace."<o:p>
Tsuchiya worked with the Reds, the Reds Hall of Fame and Pete himself to create a sculpture that captures Rose during one of his trademark headfirst slides.<o:p>
"All of us independently arrived at the headfirst slide depiction," said Tsuchiya. "The pose symbolizes his aggressive style of play and the sculpture captures Pete at the moment he touches down."<o:p>
The Reds Hall of Fame & Museum will embark on a fundraising campaign that will offer fans multiple levels of giving to support the statue.<o:p>
"The permanence of a sculpture outside the ballpark is the highest honor we can give a former player," said Rick Walls, Reds Hall of Fame & Museum executive director. "And soon the Reds Hall of Fame will be launching a fundraising campaign so fans can contribute to the statue fund and share in the legacy of one of the greatest players to ever wear a Reds uniform."<o:p>
A dedication ceremony will take place prior to the June 17th Reds vs. L.A. Dodgers game (4:10 p.m.) along with a replica Pete Rose statue giveaway.<o:p>
Tsuchiya also sculpted the four original statues on Crosley Terrace of Joe Nuxhall, Frank Robinson, Ernie Lombardi and Ted Kluszewski.<o:p>