Pete Rose and Joe Jackson to Appear in 2008 Donruss Threads Baseball
October 21, 2008

Donruss 2008 Threads Baseball features two of the greatest and most controversial players in the past 100 years of professional baseball: "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and Pete Rose. History might remember them for the baseball scandals they were involved in, but there is no denying that these two men were legends of the game and Donruss wants to honor them for their skills on the field.

"Shoeless Joe" began playing Major League Baseball in 1908. By the end of his career, he would have a World Series championship with the Chicago White Sox in 1917, a feat that wouldn't be repeated by the franchise until 2005, and the third highest career batting average in league history at .356. Jackson is known for his association with the infamous "Black Sox Scandal," in which he was one of eight White Sox players accused of throwing the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds, although recent evidence has put Jackson's role in the affair in doubt.

Donruss 2008 Threads Baseball marks Jackson's first appearance in a Donruss product, and he will appear on four cards in the set including his own Century Legends and Diamond Kings cards. Inserted on Jackson's memorabilia cards will be pieces of a game-used bat from the White Sox star's final years in professional baseball. Jackson will also be featured in Baseball Americana, having crossed over into American pop culture after being portrayed in the films Eight Men Out and Field of Dreams.

Some seventy years after the Black Sox, the Cincinnati Reds would unwittingly be a part of another betting scheme, this time perpetuated by one of its own players: Pete Rose. Known as Charlie Hustle on the field, Rose is the all-time leader in hits, games played and at-bats in Major League Baseball. Rose released his autobiography, My Prison Without Bars, in 2004 which detailed his battle with gambling addiction that led to his ban from baseball.

For the first time in 20 years, Rose will have a baseball card in a Donruss set with 2008 Threads Baseball. Authentic autographs and memorabilia from the Cincinnati Reds great will be available in the set, including his own Baseball Americana, Century Stars and Diamond Kings cards.

Donruss 2008 Threads Baseball releases tomorrow (October 22, 2008) and retails for $4.00 a pack.

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