Major League Baseball issued a statement following the death of Pete Rose, offering condolences to his family, friends, and all those who admired his greatness, grit, and determination on the field.
Pete Rose, the legendary "hit king" of Major League Baseball, has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by TMZ Sports. He died earlier today at his home in Las Vegas, where he was found by a family member. Rose's agent, Ryan Fiterman of Fiterman Sports, shared the news and requested privacy for the family during this time.
The cause of Rose's death remains unclear, with the Clark County Medical Examiner in Nevada set to conduct an autopsy this week. Just a day prior, Pete was seen at a meet-and-greet event in Nashville, where he appeared in good spirits despite being in a wheelchair due to back pain. He was seen taking photos and signing autographs for fans alongside former teammates from the Big Red Machine, including Dave Concepcion, George Foster, Tony Perez, and Ken Griffey Sr.
Known as "Charlie Hustle" for his relentless playing style, Rose is celebrated as one of the greatest baseball players in history. He earned 17 All-Star Game selections, won three World Series titles, and was named the 1973 National League MVP. Over his remarkable 24-season career, he set the record for most hits in Major League Baseball history, with an astonishing 4,256 hits. He also led the league in games played (3,562), at-bats (15,890), and plate appearances (14,053).
Rose spent the majority of his career with the Cincinnati Reds but also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos before returning to Cincinnati to finish his career as a player-manager, retiring in 1986.
However, Rose's legacy is not without controversy. In 1989, he was banned from baseball by then-commissioner Bart Giamatti after it was determined he had bet on the game. Although he initially denied these allegations, he eventually admitted to gambling on baseball in the mid-2000s. The Cincinnati Reds expressed their heartbreak over his passing, noting his significant impact on the sport.
Despite his admission, MLB has not lifted the lifetime ban, leaving many to wonder if Rose will ever receive a rightful place in Cooperstown as one of the best players in history.
