Legendary MLB Player Pete Rose Passes Away At 83 Years Old

Pete Rose, the legendary Major League Baseball player known for his passion for the game, has died at the age of 83. 

His agent, Ryan Fiterman, confirmed the news to TMZ, stating that Rose passed away on Monday at his home in Las Vegas. The family has requested privacy, and no cause of death has been announced at this time.

Rose, often described as one of the most relentless players in the history of baseball, once said, “I’d walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball.” He began his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1963, quickly making an impact by winning Rookie of the Year. His intense, aggressive playing style was often compared to Ty Cobb, the legendary player whose career hits record Rose would eventually surpass. 

Over the course of his career, Rose became a 17-time All-Star and was named the National League MVP in 1973. As a key player on the famed Big Red Machine, Rose helped lead the Reds to back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976, solidifying their place as one of the greatest teams in MLB history.

After becoming a free agent in 1978, Rose joined the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was instrumental in securing the team’s first-ever World Series title in 1980. Even at the age of 41, he played all 162 games of the 1982 season. He later had a brief stint with the Montreal Expos in 1984 before returning to the Reds, finishing his career with records for the most hits, games played, and at-bats in MLB history.

Rose’s versatility on the field was notable. Though he started as a second baseman, he readily switched to third base when asked, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to winning. Known for his meticulous attention to his performance, Rose often calculated his batting average as he ran to first base after a hit. 

He once remarked that the toughest pitcher he ever faced was Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers, humorously describing Koufax’s curveball as impossible to hit. “I got 10 for 57 off of him. Get your calculator; that’s .175. When you don’t hit your weight off of a pitcher you’re doing pretty bad,” Rose quipped.

Rose’s passion for the game was at the core of his identity. “I’m just like everybody else. I have two arms, two legs, and four-thousand hits,” he once said. Reflecting on his career, he acknowledged that other players like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron had better individual skills but proudly claimed, “I’ve got enthusiasm. I’ve got desire. I’ve got hustle. Those are God-given talents, too.”

Despite his incredible achievements, Rose’s career was marred by controversy. In 1989, he was banned from baseball for life due to gambling while managing the Reds. This ban prevented him from being inducted into the Hall of Fame, sparking ongoing debates among fans.

In his later years, Rose expressed regret over his involvement in gambling, stating, “There’s only one thing I would change if I had to live it all over again … I would obviously turn my life around and not bet on baseball.” He told the Cincinnati Enquirer, “Having said that, I feel like I’ve been a pretty good citizen.”

Rose also defended his character, adding, “You never read about me being in a bar after hours, beating up my wife, or getting into a fight with a fan, and I was as gracious to everyone as I could be.”

Pete Rose’s legacy as baseball’s all-time hits leader and a fierce competitor will endure, even as the shadow of his lifetime ban remains part of his complex story.