Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose Collects First Major League Hit

Every record holder gets their start somewhere. For Cincinnati Reds star Pete Rose, the all time hit king, that beginning came on this day in 1963.

When one thinks of Pete Rose, one of two images come to mind. The first, based off of his recent issues, involves him sitting behind a table in Las Vegas, signing his autograph and any inscription one can think of for a few bucks. The second, and preferable, image involves Rose getting hit after hit, hustling around the bases in a Cincinnati Reds uniform and running his way to becoming the all time hit king.

Those 4,256 hits had to begin somewhere, and for Rose, one could have understood if he began to wonder if that first hit would ever come. He began his career 0-11, hardly an indication to what he would become. However, on this day in 1963, Rose got that first hit, a triple off Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Bob Friend.

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Even with that first hit, Rose’s career did not jump into gear just yet. He got a hit in each of his next two games, but then did not get another hit until April 27th, when he had a .130/.310/.217 batting line. However, after that point, Rose looked every bit of that future hit leader, with his season ending with a .273/.334/.371 batting line, scoring 101 runs and winning the Rookie of the Year award.

Interestingly enough, on the 21st anniversary of his first career hit, Rose also became the second player in MLB history with 4,000 hits, collecting a double against Jerry Koosman to join Ty Cobb in that exclusive club. It was quite a departure from where Rose had been heading into that game two decades ago.

Next: Matt Young pitches a no-hitter and loses

Every journey begins somewhere, and for Pete Rose, the future star of the Cincinnati Reds, that first base hit came on this day in 1963.