Pete Rose recalls the former Met as a “good guy,” despite his altercation with Bud Harrelson during the NLCS.

Pete Rose recalls the former Met as a “good guy,” despite his altercation with Bud Harrelson during the NLCS.

 

After learning of Bud Harrelson’s passing on Thursday, Pete Rose, a former Reds player, told the Daily News that he had no animosity against the man following their memorable match in the 1973 NLCS.

A memorable scene of the baserunner and the shortstop fighting on the Shea Stadium infield was created by Rose’s forceful slide into second base during Game 3 of the playoff series between the Mets and Reds.

Rose told The News that all that was two aggressive players competing in a series that would earn them a trip to the World Series. The Mets defeated us in that series, of course. He became upset when I attempted to break up a double play and called me names. I really didn’t punch him; instead, I just grabbed him.

“To tell you the truth, [Mets third baseman] Wayne Garrett was the one who started the fight,” Rose remarked. “Everything went crazy when he ran in from third, leaped on the pile, and began swinging.

The feisty Harrelson, much smaller than Rose, has a bruise above his eye from the altercation. But since the Mets prevailed 9-2 in the game and the series in five games, Harrelson had the last laugh.