It’s a common belief that professional athletes live and breathe their sport. It’s not wrong to say. But in the case of Pete Rose, it was perhaps truer than the rest. The Cincinnati Reds legend, who always seemed to be in motion, passed away on Monday at the age of 83. His death opened up a Pandora’s box of what his legacy in the sport would be. Tainted by his lifelong ban from Cooperstown, one fact that has emerged from the discussion is his almost devotional love for the sport. And one analyst believes his legacy is now being carried on by Caitlin Clark.

The WNBA has existed since 1997 and yet it’s only been in the last few years that women’s basketball has suddenly catapulted to the forefront of sports media. Whatever the opposition says, it is largely thanks to Caitlin Clark, and her rivalry with Angel Reese. But most importantly, it’s about CC’s love for the game. “When I think about Pete Rose, I understand why there’s such a passion for Caitlin Clark. Because when Caitlin Clark plays basketball, it reminds you of Pete Rose playing baseball. When you watch Caitlin Clark, it’s like ‘Holy cow!'” says Jason Whitlock on his YouTube channel.

“She puts everything and will risk everything to play basketball and reach her goals,” he continues. Pete Rose was the same. Playing in Cincy for the majority of his career, Rose, nicknamed Charlie Hustle, was part of their dominant era in the 1970s. The Reds led the National League and Rose was their frontman, who to this day holds the league record for most hits at 4,256. Some described him as an adrenaline junkie, which is perhaps where his gambling habit came from.

MLB had issued him warnings in the 80s over his betting, and then in the latter part of the decade they finally investigated to see if anything illegal was being done. Rose was ultimately banned from baseball in all its forms, even though his particular brand of betting was only for that extra push in games. He didn’t care about the money, as Rick Reilly wrote in The Washington Post, but only “about the juice.” 

Rose put his reputation on the line for the game of the diamond. While Caitlin Clark’s case is nothing of the sort, Whitlock points out, “Holy cow does she have a passion for the game. She’s willing to risk everything – her reputation, getting poked in the eye, getting beat up by everybody on the court and we love that and we respect that about her.”

Basketball is a rough game so hard contact and some level of shoving is expected. But Clark has been pushed and prodded and even received a black eye in the postseason. And yet, as Whitlock says, her love for the game makes her fanbase equally intense. “That’s why there’s so much energy and people trying to protect Caitlin Clark at all costs. Why her fan base is out of control and rabid. Because she reminds us of what sports used to be like.”

Whitlock then goes on to discuss some NBA greats, mentioning Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and some of their brilliant plays. The analyst then says the same thing Reilly wrote, “These guys played the game like the money didn’t matter.”

“This is what Pete Rose represented. And it’s a torch that has now been handed to a 22-year-old little girl out of Iowa.” In fact, ESPN ranks her popularity above even Patrick Mahomes.

Caitlin Clark has become a revolutionary symbol of sport in the country

As early as June, Caitlin Clark was on ESPN’s list of most famous athletes in the country. The fourth “most-favorited active athlete,” she officially ranked above the Kansas City Chiefs’ QB at one point in time. Only LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and Steph Curry ranked above her.

Now as the unanimous Rookie of the Year, her achievements and records speak for themselves. Breaking attendance and viewership record numbers for the Indiana Fever, the rookie has had a considerable impact on the W. While many have said that the league is not made of a single player, and veterans have held the court for much longer, CC’s impact on bringing more audiences to the sport also cannot be denied.

“Caitlin Clark may be the Julius Erving of the WNBA. He had that impact on the ABA then NBA!” wrote former coach George Karl on X last week. She is a “tsunami”, inked Rebecca Lobo as soon as Clark entered into the WNBA. And they may be right. But at the same time, while one could compare and contrast her name and influence to players from around the sports world, there is none other like Caitlin Clark!