Pete Rose, a name synonymous with Cincinnati Reds baseball, boasts a career etched in records and memorable moments. Fans recognize him instantly, but a question often arises for those delving deeper into baseball history: what number did Pete Rose wear? The answer is 14, a number now retired by the Reds in honor of his legendary contributions. However, the story behind how he came to wear No. 14 is more happenstance than personal preference, a common thread for many players in professional baseball.
Upon arriving at Crosley Field on April 8, 1963, a fresh-faced Pete Rose found jersey No. 14 waiting for him in his locker. It wasn’t a number he had specifically requested, nor was it necessarily his first choice. As Rose himself recounted, the assignment came courtesy of Ray “Chesty” Evans, then a Cincinnati Reds coach. Evans, thinking practically for the young second baseman, deemed No. 14 a more fitting digit for the position than the No. 27 Rose had sported during spring training and even in an exhibition game. In essence, the number was assigned based on positional norms rather than personal significance at the outset of Rose’s illustrious career.
Pete Rose in his Reds uniform
This anecdote underscores a broader truth about jersey numbers in baseball and many other professional sports: often, players, especially rookies, don’t get to pick their number. Unless a player is a seasoned veteran, arriving via trade or free agency with established clout, the choice of jersey number frequently rests with the team’s equipment manager or coaching staff. This was certainly the case for Pete Rose, and his No. 14, though initially assigned, became iconic through his Hall of Fame caliber career (though his Hall of Fame status is currently debated due to off-field issues).
The experience of Cody Reed, a more recent Cincinnati Red, mirrors Rose’s number assignment story. Joining the team, Reed was simply given No. 44. As Reed himself noted, “That’s what was given to me. That’s all I got.” He even considered it an upgrade from the less glamorous No. 84 he wore during spring training. Reed’s reaction highlights the common player mentality: in the big leagues, any number on the back of your jersey is a privilege. He was also aware that No. 44 held prior significance, having been worn by Reds legend Eric Davis, who was present during spring training.
Similarly, Zack Cozart, another former Red, had a preferred number, No. 1, in honor of Ozzie Smith. However, upon reaching the major leagues, he found No. 1 retired by the Reds for manager Fred Hutchinson. Cozart ultimately chose No. 2 from a list of available numbers, a decision driven more by limited options than a deep personal connection to the digit itself. Even Jay Bruce, who aspired to wear No. 24 like his idol Ken Griffey Jr., ended up with No. 32, assigned by his high school coach for reasons never fully explained. These stories illustrate that for many players, jersey numbers are a matter of circumstance and team availability rather than personal selection.
Billy Hamilton’s experience provides another interesting perspective. In high school, he consistently wore No. 3 across different sports. Upon turning professional, he was given No. 4. Arriving at his first major league spring training, No. 4 was already taken by Brandon Phillips, leading to Hamilton being assigned No. 6. He humorously recounted being told by manager Dusty Baker that a single-digit number was essential for speed, implying double-digit numbers might weigh him down. While likely tongue-in-cheek, the anecdote further emphasizes the often-arbitrary nature of number assignments, especially for younger players entering the professional ranks. Hamilton’s single-digit number also unexpectedly placed him amongst veterans in the locker room, highlighting the subtle hierarchies and traditions within baseball clubhouses.
Even Homer Bailey, a long-time Reds pitcher, faced number assignment realities early in his career. Initially wanting No. 21, held by Scott Hatteberg at the time, Bailey settled for No. 34, a number he grew to embrace. These varied experiences from different eras and players within the Cincinnati Reds organization all point to the same conclusion: for the vast majority of baseball players, especially when starting their major league careers, jersey numbers are assigned, not chosen. As Pete Rose succinctly put it, “Whatever number they give you, you’re just happy to get a uniform.”
The story of Pete Rose and his No. 14 is a testament to how an initially assigned number can become iconic through a player’s performance and legacy. While No. 27 might have been a possibility early on, it was No. 14 that Rose wore throughout his legendary career with the Reds, ultimately leading to its retirement – a distinction no other Red will ever share. While Ross Ohlendorf coincidentally wore No. 27 later, it is No. 14 that remains forever linked to Pete Rose and his indelible mark on baseball history. The question “What Number Was Pete Rose” is simple, but the answer reveals a broader narrative about baseball traditions and the way numbers become intertwined with the identities of both players and franchises.
