Pete Rose -- HATES Ban on Home Plate Collisions

Pat O'Brien and Pete Rose are homies -- and Pat tells TMZ Sports the MLB legend is PISSED about MLB's new ban on home plate collisions ... saying the rule is so wrong, it makes Pete sick to his stomach.

Of course, Rose knows a little something about baserunner vs. catcher destruction -- he famously plowed into Ray Fosse at the 1970 All-Star game (Fosse's still bitter about that btw).

"He's sick about it," Pat says ... explaining, "It's the one highlight in baseball that people wait for. It's a thrill when you see it."

Of course, there's that whole argument about player safety ... BUT WHO CARES?! Now, watch this video of Pete obliterating Ray Fosse. Classic.