Did you like Pete Rose’s commentary work during the World Series? Well, either way, he didn’t work last night’s Game 4, and you won’t have a chance to see him work any more games for Fox. As it turns out, Rose left the booth rather suddenly—in the middle of the World Series—due to a “prior commitment.”


Fox gave a statement to CBS on Rose’s departure:

“Pete was an absolute pleasure to work with this season. He was an informative and entertaining addition to our studio coverage and we look forward to his return next season. We knew at the time Pete agreed to join us that he had prior commitments to multiple events made over a year ago, and it was his desire to honor those commitments. He will be missed by our entire crew but we are lucky to have Kevin Millar join us for the remainder of our World Series coverage.”


Okay, so that’s some strange timing. What could be more important, as a broadcaster, than working the World Series, getting to spar with Frank Thomas, and marveling at Alex Rodriguez’s incisive analysis? The calendar section on Pete Rose’s official website has our answer!

“Pete will be signing autographs at the ART OF MUSIC in Mandalay Bay Place @ The Art Of Music at Mandalay Place.” Okay, got it.

Screenshots via Fox and peterose.com.


Contact the author at patrick@deadspin.com or @patrickredford.