Pete Rose, the legendary Major League Baseball player known for his record as the all-time hits leader, has passed away at the age of 83, according to a confirmation from the Clark County, Nevada medical examiner.
Rose was discovered deceased at his home by a family member, with authorities indicating there were no signs of foul play. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death, as it was noted that Rose was not under a doctor’s care at the time.
Throughout his impressive 24-year career, during which 19 seasons were spent with the Cincinnati Reds, Rose garnered immense fan admiration for his relentless hustle on the field. His accolades include setting records for career hits, games played, plate appearances, and at-bats. Rose was a 17-time All-Star, the 1973 National League MVP, and the 1963 Rookie of the Year. He also celebrated three World Series championships—two with the “Big Red Machine” in 1975 and 1976, and another with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.
However, his legacy is marred by his lifetime ban from MLB in 1989 due to allegations of gambling on games while managing the Reds. Following an investigation commissioned by MLB Commissioner Bart Giamatti, evidence showed that Rose had placed at least 52 bets on Reds games during his first season solely as a manager in 1987, with bets accumulating thousands of dollars each day.
Despite maintaining for years that he never bet on his own team, Rose eventually confessed in his 2004 autobiography, admitting to placing bets on Reds games during 1987 and 1988. He insisted that he always aimed to win every game and was not betting against his team.
The Hall of Fame later ruled that anyone on the ineligible list would never gain entry, intensifying the debate over Rose’s exclusion from baseball’s most prestigious honor. His requests for reinstatement were consistently denied by the league.
Rose remains a prominent figure in baseball history, notably breaking Ty Cobb’s hits record on September 11, 1985, and finishing his career with a remarkable total of 4,256 hits. Even after his ban, he remained connected to the sport, with his number 14 retired by the Reds and a place on the All-Century Team.
Rose’s personal life included two marriages and a long-term partnership with model Kiana Kim, with whom he appeared in a reality TV show. He had four children, one of whom, Pete Rose Jr., had a brief stint in Major League Baseball.
In his own words, Rose expressed gratitude to baseball for all it had given him, underscoring the emotional ties he maintained over the years despite the controversies surrounding his career.