ow, with the Red Sox about to come to bat, Rose gave an astonishing performance. He set about rousing his teammates, as if they were troops on the front line. He bellowed encouragement, pounded his fist into his glove, and bounced about the infield with enthusiasm that was contagious. He seemed to grow physically in stature, to tower over the situation. Even in the stands, his will to win could be felt. Photograph by Lane Stewart Text by Ron Fimrite In 1975, Pete Rose, third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, was named the World Series' Most Valuable Player. Banned from baseball in 1989 for betting on the sport while working as the Reds' manager, Rose is currently ineligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame, despite breaking Ty Cobb's career batting record with 4256 hits. Now 55, Rose is the host of a syndicated radio talk show, owns the Pete Rose Ball Park Cafe and lives in Florida.
	Sportsmen of the Year: 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996