'Deep sense of loss' | Johnny Bench, sports world reacts to Pete Rose's death

CINCINNATI — Reactions from MLB players and the sports world are pouring in after Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose's death. The MLB hit king and Cincinnati native was 83.

Johnny Bench, who was also part of the Big Red Machine and "The Great Eight," told WCPO 9's Marshall Kramsky that he's feeling a "deep sense of loss" after Rose's death and he's "devastated."

Bench said he and Rose just missed each other this past weekend. Rose was at the same card show that Bench was at the day prior with former teammates Dave Concepcion, George Foster, Tony Perez and Ken Griffey Sr. on Sunday.

"Nobody was more driven, he was the epitome of hustle, energy and desire," Bench told Dan Patrick on Tuesday. "If he had three hits, he wanted to get four. If he had four (hits), he wanted to get five."

The Reds posted on social media, saying they were heartbroken to learn of Rose's passing.

Reds fans gathered outside Great American Ball Park Monday night to remember Rose, placing flowers next to the Charlie Hustle statue.

Rose's son, Pete Rose Jr., posted to social media to remember his "pops."

"I will never forget those walks pop as that was our time!!," Rose Jr. wrote. "My idol, My hero, most of all My Pops!!"

MLB posted on social media, extending its condolences after Rose's death.

Former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin posted on X (formerly Twitter) after Rose's passing, saying rest in peace.

Pete's grandson, Peter, posted a memory after his passing.

Alex Rodriguez, who worked with Rose at Fox Sports, posted on social media, saying he was "absolutely heartbroken" to hear of his death.

"He always brought a smile to my face when we worked together at Fox," Rodriguez wrote. "He was true original and 1 of 1. Nobody loved baseball more than Pete and I'll miss him terribly."

Former Reds radio sportscaster Marty Brennaman released a statement following Rose's death.

Sportscaster Thom Brennaman, son of Marty Brennaman, shared multiple posts about Rose on his X account.

"I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Rose when I was ten years old in Tampa. He was the same to me as a kid as he was when I announced his games," Thom Brennaman wrote. "And never turned his back on a friend when my career was in tatters. He was just an awesome guy to be around."

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statement after Rose's death.

Former President Donald Trump also posted on social media Tuesday about Rose's death, saying "he was one of the most magnificent baseball players ever to play the game."

Local restaurateur Jeff Ruby remembered Pete's talents not as natural or better, but rather his determination was what set him apart.

Jimmy Burrow, Joe Burrow's dad, recalled a story about a phone call he had with Pete about his son.

Jose Canseco, who played 17 seasons in the MLB, shared his condolences on social media. He also said that Rose should be in the MLB Hall of Fame. Rose was banned from the Hall of Fame in 1989 for placing sports bets.

Former Reds second baseman Brandon Philips also posted on X about Rose making it into the Hall of Fame now.

Former Reds pitcher Danny Graves said he was devastated to hear the news, and his heart goes out to Rose's son, Pete Rose Jr., and family.

Ron Oester, a Cincinnati native who played his entire MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds from 1978 to 1990, told WCPO 9's Marshall Kramsky that he's sad Rose has passed before being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Eric Davis, another former teammate of Rose's who also played when Rose managed the team, told WCPO 9 that Rose had a major part in shaping his career. Davis said Rose went to the Reds front office and told them Davis wouldn't be successful as a player unless the team let him be himself.

"He set the standard of how to play the game," Davis said. "And it just wasn't for white kids or Black kids. It was for anybody who played the game."

He also said Rose was "spiritually" part of the 1990 World Series team, despite not actually being present as the team's manager.

Davis said the thing he'll miss most about Rose is the yearly phone call he'd receive from the hit king each year on his birthday.