Major League Baseball legend Pete Rose has passed away at the age of 83, confirmed by the medical examiner in Clark County, Nevada, on Monday. Rose, the all-time hits leader who was banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling, made four All-Star appearances and helped the Phillies win one of their two world championships during his five seasons in Philadelphia from 1979-83.
Known as “Charlie Hustle” for his relentless playing style, Rose’s bid to make the Hall of Fame during his lifetime fell short due to his gambling, despite his unquestionably Hall of Fame-worthy accomplishments on the field. Rose’s 4,256 hits are 67 more than Ty Cobb’s career mark for the most in MLB history. He also played in the most games and had the most at-bats in history.
During his playing career from 1963 to 1986, Rose won three batting titles and led the league in hits seven times. He was Rookie of the Year in 1963, a 17-time All-Star, and the National League MVP in 1973. His best seasons came as a member of the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine,” which won back-to-back titles in 1975 and 1976. Rose was the World Series MVP in ’75. In 1978, Rose captivated the baseball world as he chased Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game hitting streak, eventually tying the NL mark of 44 games.
Even before the gambling scandal, Rose was a polarizing figure. His hardnose style was loved by fans of his team but not appreciated by all. Nothing summed that dynamic up more than the 1970 All-Star Game when Rose scored the winning run by barreling over Cleveland catcher Ray Fosse at the plate.
Rose’s reputation unraveled in 1989 when he was banned from baseball for gambling. An investigation revealed that he had placed wagers on baseball games, including on his own team. After a legal battle, Rose accepted a lifetime ban from commissioner Bart Giammatti. Despite several attempts, he was never reinstated, with the argument against reinstatement often citing his lack of admission of wrongdoing. Rose finally admitted to betting on baseball, including Reds games, in a 2004 autobiography, though he claimed he never bet against his team.
