The Panini VIP Party has added a Diamond King to the roster.
Panini America revealed the seventh guest for its upcoming exclusive event set for Saturday night and it’s MLB hit King Pete Rose, who was revealed by the company just minutes ago.
The event coincides with the National Sports Collectors Convention, which is under way in Chicago and runs through Sunday.
In 24 big-league seasons, Rose hit .303 for the Reds, Phillies and Expos and his 4,256 hits remain the MLB record along with his 14,053 at-bats and 3,562 games played. He won three World Series rings — two with The Big Red Machine and one with Philadelphia in 1980. He was a 17-time All-Star, a Rookie of the Year, a three-time batting champ and a National League MVP during his career, which also included a managerial stint before he was banned from baseball for life after betting on the game.
Earlier Wednesday, Panini revealed eight-time boxing champ Thomas “Hitman” Hearns would be at the party, too. He compiled a 61-5-1 record during his career, which had him named Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine in 1980 and 1984. He retired in 2006 and has helped promote fights since.
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Panini previously announced Latrell Sprewell and Glen Rice as guests revealed here today. In 13 seasons with the Warriors, Knicks and Timberwolves, Sprewell was a four-time All-Star averaging 18.3 points per game. Rice played 15 seasons for the Heat, Hornets, Lakers, Knicks, Rockets and Clippers and was a three-time All-Star who also averaged 18.3 a game. They’ll both be on hand along with Hearns and other guests to talk with collectors at the VIP party and each attendee will receive signed photos from them and the other stars attending the show.
Announced Tuesday was Chicago Bulls point guard Kris Dunn, who averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 assists per game for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season before he was part of the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota.
The first guests announced on Monday were the sons of Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, Danny and David, who helped bring the legendary player back to cards as part of a deal with Panini earlier this year.
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