Baseball

Pete Rose arguably signed more autographs than any ballplayer in MLB history, but that doesn't mean "Charlie Hustle" memorabilia isn't experiencing a sizeable boost in value in death, according to a top expert.

TMZ Sports talked to David Kohler, founder and president of SCP Auctions, just days after Rose's death ... and we asked whether items signed by the legendary Reds player have increased in worth following Pete's death on Monday.

"Every time a really important person in a game of a big American sport such as baseball passes, there's a lot of interest. I'm sure on eBay, there's a lot more sales now for his memorabilia," Kohler told us, while noting, "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."

One of Pete Rose's closest friends and former teammates could tell the Hit King wasn't his usual playful and talkative self the day before he passed ... with Tony Perez explaining members of the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds didn't fully enjoy their last experience together.

The Hall of Famer joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs on FS1) to discuss his final meet-up with Rose ... a signing session at the Music City Autograph Show with Fiterman Sports Group featuring Rose, Perez, Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Ken Griffey Sr.

The former first baseman admitted it "wasn't a good time" because Rose was "not himself" ... and the guys didn't take part in their usual banter during the show, a far cry from how things were when they were last together about six months ago.

Donald Trump sent a message loud and clear to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the day after Pete Rose died ... urging the org. to put the ex-Reds star in "now," "before his funeral!"

The former prez issued the demand during J.D. Vance's debate with Tim Walz on Tuesday night ... taking a brief break from watching his running mate to heap some serious praise on the baseball legend.

"The GREAT Pete Rose just died," he said. "He was one of the most magnificent baseball players ever to play the game. He paid the price! Major League Baseball should have allowed him into the Hall of Fame many years ago."

6:55 PM PT -- Major League Baseball released a statement following the passing of Pete Rose ... extending their condolences to Rose's family, friends and friends "who admired his greatness, grit and determination on the field of play."

MLB legend Pete Rose has died at the age of 83, TMZ Sports has learned.

Rose, Major League Baseball's hit king, passed away earlier today at his home in Las Vegas ... where he was found by a family member.

Dave Stewart grew up in Oakland and is one of the greatest players to ever put on an Athletics uniform ... and now the World Series MVP is opening on his organization bolting the bay for Las Vegas.

"I've kind of had time to prepare myself for [the last game in Oakland], but it doesn't really hit you until the actual moment," Stewart told TMZ Sports.

"At the ballpark, I was fine. Before I went to the ballpark, I was quite frankly a mess. I couldn't figure out what the heck was going on with me. At the time, the emotion, I mean, there were some tears."

Tons of Oakland Athletics legends have made the trip to Northern California for the team's swan song in the East Bay ... including former ace Barry Zito -- who was actually called upon to sing the national anthem at Thursday's finale!

The pitcher-turned-musician helped conclude the pre-game festivities at the Athletics' last-ever contest inside the Oakland Coliseum ... by belting out a sweet rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.

The three-time All-Star -- who made the transition to music following his retirement from the sport in 2015 -- picked up the mic just before first pitch against the Rangers ... and he killed it, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

MLB artifact hunters will still have the chance to bid on Shohei Ohtani's historic 50th home run ball on Friday ... despite a new lawsuit that's reportedly trying to halt the proceedings.

According to cllct's Darren Rovell, the suit was filed on Wednesday evening in Florida -- just hours after Ken Goldin revealed his auction house will put the ball up for sale at the end of this week with a starting bid of $500,000.

Rovell reported the plaintiff is an 18-year-old named Max Matus ... who's convinced he's the rightful owner of the baseball. Matus alleges in his suit, according to Rovell, that he had full control of the ball before Chris Belanski wrongfully stole it from him during a scrum.

Thursday afternoon will mark the final time the Athletics play a game at the Oakland Coliseum, so during their last night game on Wednesday -- a groundskeeper made sure some fans left with a memento they can cherish forever.

The A's are currently playing the Texas Rangers in what is slated to be their final homestand not just at the Coliseum -- but in the city of Oakland -- as the team is set to play the next three seasons in Sacramento before setting up shop in Las Vegas.

While the stadium has been empty in recent years due to poor play and fan backlash against the owner, John Fisher ... supporters have been coming out this week to make one last memory with the team.

The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first NL East title in over a decade on Monday night ... and they celebrated in epic fashion -- by stripping off their tops and dancing the night away!!!

It all happened following the Phils' 6-2 win over the Cubs  ... when the team hit the locker room to bask in the glow of their big accomplishment.

Owner John Middleton got everything started when he told the team he wanted his "f***ing trophy back" -- which sent the players into a frenzy.

8:09 AM PT -- After further review, David Kohler tells TMZ Sports he and his SCP Auctions team now believe the ball would sell for around $500,000 if it hits the block.

The man who pulled Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball from a scrum in the stands of LoanDepot Park on Thursday afternoon is about to be a whole lot richer ... 'cause, according to auction experts, the keepsake is worth a small fortune.

David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions tell TMZ Sports ... based on their initial evaluations -- the baseball that Ohtani socked over the left field wall during the Dodgers' blowout win over the Marlins will likely sell for over $300,000 on an auction block.

5:25 PM PT -- Shohei Ohtani added another home run to his tally ... launching a three-run shot 440 feet. He ended the day a perfect 6-6, with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and two stolen bases.

3:57 PM PT -- Shohei Ohtani has done it ... he just launched his 50th home run of the season with a seventh-inning blast against the Marlins -- making him the first-ever player to have a season with 50 HRs and 50 stolen bases.

3:31 PM PT -- Shohei Ohtani has just inched even closer to history ... he just blasted his 49th home run of the season in the sixth inning of the Dodgers' Thursday afternoon tilt with the Marlins.

Shohei Ohtani is on the brink of history ... as the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar just stole base number 50 (and 51) on the season -- and the slugger now needs just two more home runs to become the first-ever 50/50 player in Major League Baseball history!

Step aside, Joe Jackson ... Jose Altuve now might have the rightful claim to the "Shoeless" moniker -- after he ditched not only his cleat, but his sock during a wild tiff with an umpire on Tuesday night.

The bizarre scene all unfolded in the top of the ninth inning of the Astros' close game against the Padres in San Diego -- when the Houston superstar hit a grounder to third base.

Jose was adamant the ball clanked off his foot and should have been ruled foul. But, the ump didn't see that way, and called him out.

There's no crying in baseball, but Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made an exception Monday night ... breaking down in tears after Cleveland capped off a wild comeback win!!

The Guards were playing catchup for most of their crucial divisional matchup against the Minnesota Twins ... but things swayed in their favor when Kyle Manzardo hit a clutch homer to put his squad up 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning.

The first-year skipper met with the media after Cleveland's 87th dub of the season ... and he couldn't help but choke back tears when talking about his players.

The New York Mets are in a tight race for the final wild card spot in the MLB postseason -- currently tied with the Atlanta Braves -- and they're clearly hoping that honoring a blast from their near past provides them some good luck down the home stretch!!

According to MLB reporter Mike Mazzeo, the team is ready to bring back Grimace on Monday night -- and in preparation for his return, it's installed a purple seat in section 302, row 6, seat 12 of Citi Field.

The row and seat selection, of course, is very deliberate ... as the Purple celebrity made his first appearance at Citi Field on June 12 -- and following that showing, the Mets then went on a seven-game winning streak.

Washington Spirit midfielder Croix Bethune will not play again this season ... and it's all because she hurled out a ceremonial first pitch at a Nationals game last week.

The 23-year-old was tapped by the MLB org. to kick off its tilt with the Yankees on Aug. 28 following her gold medal success at the Paris Games ... and, initially, everything appeared to go off without a hitch.

The soccer star -- who was at the D.C. game with several other Olympians -- toed the rubber, threw the ball to a catcher ... and was all smiles throughout the process.

Scary scene at the Rays game on Monday ... a fan was drilled so hard in the head by a home run ball -- it knocked him unconscious.

It all happened in the second inning of the Twins' tilt against the Rays at Tropicana Field ... when Trevor Larnach roped a Zack Littell slider into deep right field.

As the ball -- which was traveling at 112.5 MPH -- cleared the wall ... a man tried to snag it with his bare hands, but missed, and was clocked right in the noggin.