Product Details

Offered here is an exceptional piece of baseball history: a complete 225-page bound copy of the famed Pete Rose “Dowd Report,” personally signed and inscribed by John M. Dowd, the attorney who led Major League Baseball’s investigation into allegations that Pete Rose bet on baseball. Officially titled “Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Investigation of Pete Rose and Other Matters,” the report is dated May 9, 1989 and became one of the most consequential documents in the history of Major League Baseball. EXCEPTIONAL DIRECT PROVENANCE What makes this particular copy especially noteworthy is the story behind it. Mr. Dowd personally gave this report to me. Mr. Dowd and I were neighbors at the time, and he knew that I was an avid collector of baseball memorabilia. One day, completely unexpectedly, there was a knock at my door. It was Mr. Dowd, and he had brought this copy of the report for me. He personally inscribed it to me, Joe Grimando, signed it, and handed it directly to me. I have owned and preserved the report ever since. This is therefore not an autograph purchased secondhand, obtained at a signing, or acquired through an unknown chain of previous owners. It comes directly from the personal collection of the individual to whom John Dowd presented and inscribed it. THE REPORT This is the complete 225-page report, not merely a signed cover, excerpt or collection of selected pages. It remains bound together and includes the report from beginning to end. The Dowd Report documented the findings of Major League Baseball's investigation of Pete Rose and ultimately became central to one of the most historic and controversial episodes in professional sports. On August 24, 1989, Pete Rose accepted permanent placement on Major League Baseball's ineligible list. More than three decades later, the Dowd Report remains inseparably connected to Rose's legacy and the history of Major League Baseball. CONDITION The report has been carefully preserved in my personal collection and is in MINT condition. Please review the photographs carefully for the exact condition, binding, inscription and signature. IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE COPY I am not representing this as the unique original investigative manuscript or as one of the original 1989 distribution copies. It is being offered exactly as described: a complete 225-page bound copy of the Dowd Report that was personally presented, inscribed and signed for me by Mr. Dowd himself. I have reached out to Mr. Dowd seeking any additional information he may be able to provide concerning this particular copy. Should additional documentation become available, that information will be preserved with the report. A REMARKABLE PIECE OF BASEBALL HISTORY Pete Rose remains one of baseball's most discussed and controversial figures, and the Dowd Report represents the document at the very center of that history. The opportunity to own a complete 225-page copy personally signed and inscribed by Mr. Dowd, accompanied by direct first-owner provenance from the person to whom Dowd personally presented it, makes this an unusual piece for the serious collector of Pete Rose memorabilia, Major League Baseball history, significant sports documents or historically important baseball artifacts. Personally presented by Mr. Dowd to Joe Grimando. Personally inscribed and signed by John M. Dowd. Complete 225-page bound report. Direct, first-owner provenance. MINT condition. A truly unique conversation piece from one of the most consequential chapters in the history of Major League Baseball.