Sports Illustrated named the Reds' Pete Rose its 1975 Sportsman of the Year for "the sheer force of his personality" as exemplified in Game 7 of the '75 World Series against the Red Sox. SI's Ron Fimrite penned the article for the December 22, 1975 issue:
The sheer force of Rose's personality was felt most compellingly, perhaps, in the sixth inning of the final game of the World Series. The Reds had closed an early 3-0 Red Sox lead to 3-2 on Perez' home run in the top half of the inning. There was someone on base for Perez to drive home only because Rose, sliding with typical fury into second, had intimated Denny Doyle into throwing wildly to first on what would have been an inning-ending double play.
Now, with the Red Sox about to come to bat, Rose gave an astonishing performance. He set about rousing his teammates, as if they were troops on the front line. He bellowed encouragement, pounded his fist into his glove and bounced about the infield with enthusiasm that was contagious. He seemed to grow physically in stature, to tower over the situation. Even in the stands, his will to win could be felt. Though they still trailed in the game, it seemed inevitable the Reds would win. It was a highly charged moment of a kind rarely, if ever, seen in a major league baseball game. Rose had stirred his teammates, hardened professionals, to a collegiate pitch. The Reds won, of course, with Rose driving in the tying run and Morgan the finisher.
Tags: Sports Illustrated, Pete Rose
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