By Michael Miller
Public Information Officer
University of Cincinnati
As Cincinnati mourns the passing of Major League Baseball great Pete Rose, many fans are paying tribute to the all-time hits leader by placing flowers, baseball memorabilia and candles at his bronze statue outside Great American Ball Park.
University of Cincinnati grad and sculptor Tom Tsuchiya designed the sculpture to capture Charlie Hustle’s signature headfirst slide into home plate. He consulted with Rose while working on the scale model in his studio. A lifelong Reds fan, Tsuchiya said the pressure was on.
“He told me, ‘This better be good,’” Tsuchiya said.
Pete Rose. Photo provided 
University of Cincinnati graduate and Reds fan Tom Tsuchiya shows off a scale model of his Pete Rose sculpture in his Cincinnati art studio in this 2017 photo. Credit: Joseph Fuqua II 
Pete Rose’s statue. Photo provided 
Photo at Pete Rose’s statue. Photo provided 
Pete Rose’s statue. Photo provided 
Bob Castellini & Pete Rose. Photo provided
Tsuchiya remembers the day the Cincinnati Reds unveiled the artwork on a scorching hot day in 2017.
“Pete had a big smile. He loved it. He gave it a big thumbs up,” Tsuchiya said.
Long after the dedication ceremony, Rose returned to the sculpture to spend time with the masterpiece of art and engineering. The sculpture features a cantilever design to suspend Rose in midair.
Tsuchiya took the return visit as the ultimate compliment.