MLB Legend Pete Rose Memorabilia Spike In Value After His Death

The love and support for baseball superstar Pete Rose continues, with an increase in his game-worn items and other memorabilia.

The MLB legend passed away on Monday, September 30, yet the auction market has seen a significant spike in his signed items just days after his death — an increase expected to skyrocket with time.

Pete Rose, nicknamed "Charlie Hustle" for his impressive athleticism, enjoyed an iconic career that was tragically marred by gambling issues. However, this problem did not stop an outpour of tributes in his memory.

According to David Kohler, founder and president of SCP Auctions, the value of items Rose signed has increased since his death. "Every time a really important person in a game of a big American sport such as baseball passes, there's a lot of interest," he explained.

"I'm sure on eBay, there's a lot more sales now for his memorabilia," Kohler predicted, noting that Rose spent much of his life signing autographs. In his words:

"For a long, long time, [Pete] was at all the card shows, making appearances, signing a lot of balls and bats. He did it for a long time."

While Rose's passing means there won't be any more signed items for fans, his absence only made the memorabilia available more valuable. Kohler told TMZ the list of precious goods includes key features from the late athlete's career.

The president of SCP Auctions believed fans would spend a pretty penny to obtain some of Rose's "rare" items, especially those used early in his career before the gambling issue.

"Now, his game-worn items, his rare early pieces, his high, high-end baseball cards from the early 60s, his rookie year was 1963, and to early 70s, those items will increase in value. The rarity, the scarcity," Kohler said.

As for what he believed many would bid for, the auction founder added: "When it comes to cards, it would be his PSA 10, a rookie card from 1963 tops. There's only one of those graded."

"It traded in the last 10 years for $717K. So today, that card would be worth over a million dollars, easily," Kohler continued. His comments come days after Rose's cause of death was revealed.

As reported by The Blast, the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner in Nevada announced Rose's official cause of death less than 24 hours after his passing. The late athlete died from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The heart disease wasn't the only condition the baseball legend suffered from, with the coroner's report revealing he had diabetes mellitus. Given the absence of foul play, Rose's death was ruled as natural.

Rose passed away at 83 after a family member reportedly found him unresponsive in his Las Vegas home. His death came a day after he was last seen publicly at the Fiterman Sports Group meet-and-greet in Nashville.

He posed for a picture with some of his former Big Red Machine teammates, smiling brightly despite being in a wheelchair. Sources noted he used the mobility device because his back had been bothering him.

Following his passing, Rose was honored by fans, loved ones, and the baseball community. In a poignant statement, Major League Baseball (MLB) paid tribute to his life and legacy.

The MLB noted it "extends its deepest condolences to Pete Rose's family, his friends across the game, and the fans of his hometown of Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Montreal, and beyond."

They added that their message was for everyone "who admired his greatness, grit, and determination on the field of play." Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini echoed similar sentiments in a statement.

The message shared on X hailed Rose as a GOAT in baseball, reading: "He was one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen, and every team he played for was better because of him."

During his illustrious career, Rose scored 160 home runs while playing for the Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies. However, his career came to a crashing halt following a lifetime ban from the MLB over gambling allegations.

At the height of his fame, Rose allegedly violated the rules by gambling and betting on his team while playing for the Reds. Despite his achievements, the MLB showed no leniency, and his chances of being inducted into the Hall of Fame were ruined.

Former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent reflected on Rose's gambling issues in an interview, saying, "I'm afraid that he really thought that money was so important, and he was betting a lot, and he lost a lot, and I think the corruption problem in his life was a serious one."