EXCLUSIVE: Pete Rose: I Had 1-Year Contracts for 16 Years, Nobody Had Multi-Year Contracts Then
· VLADTVWatch the full interview now as a VladTV Youtube Member: Click Here
Part 3: Pete Rose on Winning Rookie of the Year
Part 1: Pete Rose on Signing with Cincinnati Reds After High School
--------
Baseball legend Pete Rose shared the story of his career setbacks in 1964 and how it led him to play in Venezuela. Despite a disappointing season with a .269 average and getting benched, Rose moved to Venezuela – partly for financial reasons, given his meager salary of $7,000 at the time – and to improve his skills. Playing in the Venezuelan Winter League against major leaguers, he honed his skills, becoming a crowd favorite. Rose credits his time in Venezuela for his rise as a "big league hitter," as evidenced by his performance back in the US in 1965, hitting .312 and leading the league in hits with 209. The turn of events initiated nine consecutive seasons of scoring over .300, including several batting championships. Rose emphasized his work ethic and diligence in the context of single-year contracts, discussing his moves between different field positions and the importance of teamwork and strategy for success.