Pete Rose, MLB’s hit king who was suspended for life from the league for gambling, has reportedly died. He was 83.
TMZ Sports reported that Rose, who racked up 4,256 hits over a 24-year career, died at his home in Las Vegas on Monday morning. Agent Ryan Fiterman confirmed the news to TMZ Sports, adding the “family is asking for privacy at this time.”
Rose, nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” for his hard-nosed approach to the game, spent the lion’s share of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, winning rookie of the year and MVP honours as well as two World Series titles during his 19 seasons with the club. He also spent one season with the Montreal Expos and five seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, including as a member of the 1980 World Series champions.
The 17-time all-star won the batting title three times and was a Silver Slugger in the strike-shortened 1981 MLB season, hitting .325 and leading the league with 140 hits for the Phillies. The two-time Gold Glover’s MVP season in 1973 saw Rose lead the league in batting average (.338) and hits (230) for his hometown Reds.
Rose finished his career with a .303 batting average, 160 home runs, 1,314 RBIs, 2,165 runs and MLB records in hits, games (3,562), at-bats (14,053) and plate appearances (15,890).
He continued his career as a manager with the Reds before being banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling.
More to come.