NEW YORK – Pete Rose, baseball’s illustrious all-time hits leader whose legendary career was later overshadowed by scandal, has died at the age of 83. Stephanie Wheatley, a representative for Clark County, Nevada, confirmed on behalf of the coroner that Rose passed away on Monday. Found by a family member, his death is under investigation, though there are no signs of foul play, per ABC News.
Over the weekend, Rose made an appearance at an autograph show in Nashville, alongside former teammates Tony Perez, George Foster, and Dave Concepcion.
For fans who lived through the 1960s and 1970s, few players captured the essence of baseball’s rugged intensity like Cincinnati Reds’ No. 14, “Charlie Hustle.” With his shaggy hair, bulldog-like determination, and muscular forearms, Rose was the very embodiment of the game’s old-school grit during an era of evolving play. In an age of synthetic turf, divisional realignments, and player free agency, Rose remained a throwback to baseball’s early roots. The image of him charging to first base, even after a walk, or diving headfirst into a bag is seared into the memories of millions.
Though Rose was banished from Major League Baseball in 1989, the league issued a brief statement upon his passing, acknowledging his “grit, greatness, and relentless determination” on the field. Reds owner Bob Castellini echoed these sentiments, calling Rose “one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever witnessed,” and urging fans to remember Rose’s monumental achievements.
Rose’s accolades were nothing short of remarkable. A 17-time All-Star, he won three World Series championships, and his trophy case included both a National League MVP award (1973) and a World Series MVP (1975). His records are etched in the annals of baseball history: 3,562 games played, 15,890 plate appearances, and a 44-game hitting streak that remains a National League milestone. Rose was the linchpin of the vaunted Big Red Machine, a lineup that boasted Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, and Joe Morgan during its dominant 1975 and 1976 campaigns.
“My heart aches,” said Johnny Bench in a statement. “You were irreplaceable, Pete. You made us all better, no matter the road we traveled. There will never be another like you.”
The Reds posted a heartfelt tribute on social media Monday night, declaring they were “heartbroken” by the loss of their iconic leader.
But none of Rose’s achievements could eclipse his singular distinction – 4,256 hits, a record that still towers over the sport. By breaking his childhood hero Ty Cobb’s previous record of 4,191 hits, Rose cemented himself as the sport’s ultimate hitting machine. His success, built on consistency and longevity, is staggering; even if a player averaged 200 hits annually for 20 consecutive years, they would still fall short of Rose’s mark. His relentless work ethic was a testament to his passion, reaching 200 hits or more in 10 seasons, and surpassing 180 hits in four others. Rose’s career batting average was .303 despite playing various positions, including second base, outfield, third base, and first base. He led the league in hits seven times.
“Every summer, you can count on three things,” Rose once famously remarked. “The grass will turn green, the weather will heat up, and Pete Rose will hit .300 and collect 200 hits.”
Rose surpassed one milestone after another, reaching 1,000 hits in 1968, 2,000 by 1973, and 3,000 just five years later. His 4,000th hit came on April 13, 1984, exactly 21 years after his very first one. On September 8, 1985, he equaled Cobb’s record, and three days later, in front of his mother, son Pete Jr., and 47,000 adoring fans, he surpassed it. Batting left-handed against San Diego Padres pitcher Eric Show, Rose delivered a 2-1 slider into left field for a clean single. The crowd erupted in celebration as the game was halted. Rose, overcome with emotion, wept on the shoulder of his first-base coach, Tommy Helms. He later told his son, “I love you, and I hope you pass me.”
Reflecting on his father’s influence and his admiration for Cobb, Rose also spoke of his deep connection to the game’s history. In attendance that night was baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth, who called Rose’s achievement a “permanent place in Cooperstown.” Following the game, Rose received a congratulatory phone call from President Ronald Reagan, who assured him that his legacy was “secure.”
Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, just four years later, Rose was gone from the game entirely.
In March 1989, Ueberroth’s office launched a full inquiry into serious gambling allegations surrounding Rose. The investigation revealed that Rose had used a network of bookies and friends to place bets on baseball games, including Cincinnati Reds contests. Despite Rose’s initial denials, the evidence – a mountain of witness testimony, phone records, and betting slips – painted a damning picture. Rose’s once-untouchable reputation crumbled. In August of that year, a sorrowful announcement came from then-baseball commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti: “One of the game’s greatest players has engaged in acts that have tarnished the sport, and he must now face the consequences.” Rose was handed a lifetime ban from baseball, which was later extended to the Hall of Fame in 1991, effectively ending his chance of induction.
Rose’s stance on gambling evolved over time. In his 2004 autobiography, he admitted to betting on baseball, including Reds games, though he insisted he never wagered against his team. “I don’t believe betting is morally wrong. There are legal ways and illegal ways, and the way I did it was against baseball’s rules,” he wrote in his 2019 memoir, Play Hungry.
Even after admitting his missteps, Rose remained outside the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. His exclusion continues to be a polarizing issue, with many calling for his posthumous induction. Former President Donald Trump took to social media after Rose’s passing, urging Major League Baseball to right the wrong, saying, “Pete paid the price. Let him into the Hall now, before his funeral!”
The Baseball Hall of Fame also expressed its condolences, honoring Rose’s remarkable career. The Phillies and the MLB Players’ Association issued similar statements, while Hall of Famer Wade Boggs remembered his idol fondly, writing, “Words cannot express what Pete meant to me. RIP, my brother.”
Rose’s post-playing years were not without further controversy. After his gambling ban, he was convicted of tax evasion and served prison time. In 2017, allegations surfaced that Rose had engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor in the 1970s, a claim Rose refuted, saying he believed the woman was 16, the age of consent in Ohio.
Despite the scandals, Rose’s connection to his hometown of Cincinnati remained unshakable. In 2016, the Reds inducted him into the team’s Hall of Fame, and a year later, a bronze sculpture of his iconic headfirst slide was unveiled at Great American Ball Park.
While Cooperstown remains out of reach, Rose’s legacy is unmistakable, enshrined in baseball’s lore through the cleats, bats, and helmets housed at the Hall of Fame – relics of a player whose career was unmatched in many ways, even if flawed in others.