Pete Rose Had a Friend in Cooperstown

Let me tell you about the friendship of the late Pete Rose, who died Monday, October 1, of natural causes at his home in Las Vegas, and Andrew Vilacky of Cooperstown, New York.

If you have ever been to the “Home of Baseball,” Cooperstown, New York, you’ll understand when I say there’s no getting lost in the village, up one side of Main Street, and down the other. For non-residents, baseball tourists visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum are all you’ll want to take in.

On the same side of the street as the Hall of Fame and Museum sits 91 Main, Safe at Home Ballpark Collectibles. Vilacky and Tom Catal have transformed this business over the decades into a must-stop for baseball fans in search of signed items, such as jerseys, hats, and cards. You can’t miss the place.

Safe at Home Ballpark Collectibles is where, with just a few exceptions, Rose resided during his annual pilgrimage to Cooperstown during induction weekend each July. Rose would stay on the building's third floor between his meeting and greeting baseball fans on the main level. For a fee, Rose worked Sharpies masterfully and quickly. The game’s all-time hit leader made each encounter memorable.

Unlike some celebrities at appearances, Rose took time to demonstrate that he genuinely was interested in hearing from his public’s thoughts on today’s game, yesterday’s game, whatever was on their baseball brain. Rose offered his undivided attention.

The lines were steady. Year after year, Andrew would have Rose exclusively in Cooperstown. Over the years, Rose was often accompanied by some of his former Cincinnati Reds teammates, including the late Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, and Hall of Famer Andre Dawson.

Never a complaint was whispered about pricing, waiting in line, or being rushed through the process. This past July, during induction weekend, Rose made what now was his last trip to Cooperstown.

I first met Rose at Safe at Home Ballpark Collectibles in 1996, 28 years ago. My now 31-year-old son still has the 8x10 signed photograph of Rose in a plastic holder, still in mint condition.

Ball players of Rose’s era offer a readable, attractive offering of their name. When you see the signature, immediately you know who it is.

Over the years, the collectibles industry has changed in many ways. However, Rose sitting for a few days at 91 Main each summer during the busiest weekend in Otsego County was a sure thing.

I began asking myself how it was that Rose, the player who, in 1978, strung together a 44-game hitting streak, played on the MLB level for 24 seasons, was voted in 1999 to MLB’s All-Century team, won MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, and remained loyal to the same shop.

The key word is loyalty between Rose and Vilacky. When the 17-time all-star, in August 1989, voluntarily accepted to be placed permanently on baseball’s ineligible list due to betting on MLB games. Vilacky would soon form a friendship with the Cincinnati, Ohio native.

A visit facilitated by Catal, thanks to a recommendation from Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, Vilacky made a trip to Boca Raton for a visit with Rose. This is where their friendship began. Soon after, Vilacky was a regular visitor at Rose’s Florida retreat, with the keys at his ready. Trust was formed.

In 2002, Vilacky and Catal bought the building at 91 Main Street. The building was gutted and remodeled. Rose would have an apartment to stay in, conveniently located a couple of floors above where he would be making his public appearances in the heart of downtown Cooperstown.

Vilacky fiercely supports the idea that his friend Rose belongs in the Hall of Fame. He calls it a shame that there is no plaque at 25 Main Street (the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s address).

“Pete lived his life for baseball,” said Vilacky during a telephone conversation this past June. “When I would sit and watch his (Rose) interaction with the kids, that was amazing.”

According to Vilacky, repeat visitors for induction weekend often would stop in his shop to say hello to Rose. They already had his autograph, some multiple times, but for most fans, it was easy to connect with Rose.

When not on the clock at Safe at Home Ballpark Collectibles, Rose would often make his way on either side of Main Street when going to dinner or visiting with other baseball notables in town. Rose was a man of the people.

He’ll never get to stand at the podium on the grounds located at the Clark Sports Center, site of the induction ceremonies, to give probably the most anticipated speech of all-time during a Hall of Fame Weekend. Perhaps, Pete Rose, Jr. could pinch-hit for his dad, should the lifetime ban be lifted?

Of the dozen or so baseball collectible shops in Cooperstown, 91 Main will always be Rose’s home. It was as far as he would get to being inside the Hall of Fame. Thanks to a friend like Andrew Vilacky, at least Rose was welcomed to Cooperstown often.