Familiar Faces / Strange Places: Pete Rose / Expos

Thanks for all the nice comments about the new project. Please keep the ideas coming. There are so many choices. Also, if you have a clear picture of a suggested player, please feel free to send it over to me. The hardest part about this project is finding decent images to work with.


Here is another iconic baseball star in a strange uniform. Following the Phillies loss to the Orioles in the 1983 World Series Pete Rose was granted an unconditional release in late October 1983. Phillies management wanted to retain Rose for the 1984 season, but he refused to accept a more limited playing role. On January 20th, 1984 Rose signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Expos. His time in Montreal was highlighted on April 13, 1984, the 21st anniversary of his first career hit, Rose doubled off of the Phillies’ Jerry Koosman for his 4,000th career hit, joining Ty Cobb to become only the second player to enter the 4000 hit club. He played in 95 games before he was traded back the Reds to be a player/manager. Only his 1984 Topps Update and 1985 Donruss cards show Rose as an Expo.