Pete Rose, a name synonymous with both baseball glory and controversy, is making a long-awaited comeback to MLB trading cards with his inclusion in the 2024 Bowman Baseball release. This milestone marks the first time fans will see Rose’s cards in an MLB-licensed product since his banishment from the sport in 1989 over gambling allegations.
Topps, the renowned producer of Bowman cards, has included Retrofractor cards featuring Pete Rose in their latest set. What makes these cards particularly noteworthy is Rose’s ongoing ban from baseball, despite his enduring legacy as the all-time hits leader and a three-time World Series champion. To the delight of fans and collectors, some of these cards are even autographed, adding a rare and coveted element to the collection.
In previous years, Topps refrained from using Pete Rose’s name or likeness in any MLB-licensed products in compliance with the league’s policy regarding banned individuals. This policy extended to prevent Rose from being featured in officially licensed merchandise, as confirmed by MLB’s vice president of business public relations, Matt Bourne, in a 2013 interview with USA Today.
Surprisingly, while MLB has maintained its ban on Rose from participating in official team capacities, they have allowed him to engage in personal commercial endeavors related to baseball. This leniency now extends to his appearance in trading card products produced by Topps, the official partner of MLB. The specifics of this agreement remain undisclosed, as inquiries to Fanatics, the owner of Topps, regarding the deal were left unanswered.
Beyond his trading card resurgence, Pete Rose has kept a foothold in the baseball world through various avenues. He has taken on television analyst roles, received on-field acknowledgments at select events, and collaborated on merchandise projects like the creation of throwback jerseys with Mitchell & Ness.
The reintroduction of Pete Rose’s cards coincides with other non-MLB licensed appearances, including sticker autographs and a prior cameo in a 2015 Topps WWE release. While his signatures may not be scarce, their inclusion in a widely distributed MLB product like Bowman is expected to elevate their desirability among collectors.
Apart from Rose’s much-anticipated return, the 2024 Bowman collection boasts several exciting features. Collectors can anticipate inscriptions like “My 1st Bowman Auto” and case hits themed “Gladiators of the Diamond.” Fans of vintage aesthetics will rejoice in the discovery of 1955 Bowman-styled cards, with one found per case, while new Japanese players Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jung-Hoo Lee will debut their first Bowman autographs, signifying their rookie status within the set.
This year’s Bowman release offers a diverse array of configurations to cater to collectors with varying preferences, blending nostalgia with contemporary collectible trends. As Pete Rose’s cards reemerge in the trading card scene, they bring a mix of sentimentality and renewed excitement to the collecting community.
