P.J. Rose, the grandson of all-time MLB hits leader Pete Rose, is following in his grandfather’s footsteps, writes Matt Breen for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

After recently starting classes at La Salle University, P.J. has taken his baseball career from Cincinnati to Philadelphia just like his grandfather did 45 years ago.

He will be an infielder on the school’s baseball team when the sport returns to La Salle’s campus next year after a five-year hiatus.

P.J. first visited Philly in August after hearing about the city for years from his father, Pete Rose Jr.

When the eldest Rose played for the Philadelphia Phillies, he’d take a quick ride on the Broad Street Line to Veterans Stadium. His son Pete Jr. was often right there, riding the subway with him and hanging around the ballpark as a ball boy.

“We got on there before the World Series, and it was just pandemonium,” said Pete Jr. “People chanting ‘Pete’ all the way down Broad Street. It was crazy. They really made us feel like it was home. That was the greatest thing about Philadelphia.”

When he starts the season, P.J. will have a clear approach.

“Playing as hard as I can. Show up on time and have fun playing ball,” he said.

Read about P.J. Rose and the Rose baseball family linage in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on PHILADELPHIA Today in September 2024.