Baseball legend Pete Rose, the all-time Major League Baseball hit leader who was banned from the sport, passed away on Monday at the age of 83, as the 2024 MLB playoffs kicked off. The Cincinnati Reds confirmed his death, though further details are still unknown. The Clark County, Nevada, medical examiner has officially verified his passing.
Rose, nicknamed “Charlie Hustle,” spent 24 seasons in MLB, amassing a record-breaking 4,256 hits — the most in baseball history. Beginning his career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1963, Rose quickly established himself as one of the game’s greats. He led the Reds to two World Series titles in 1975 and 1976 and later won another championship with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. After a brief stint with the Montreal Expos, Rose returned to Cincinnati in 1984 to close out his playing days.
In addition to his hit record, Rose holds other remarkable MLB records, including the most games played (3,562), plate appearances (15,890), and at-bats (14,053). Throughout his career, he was a 17-time All-Star, three-time batting champion, and the National League’s MVP in 1973.
Despite his remarkable career, Rose’s legacy was clouded when he was banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on games, including those of his own team. His lifetime ban kept him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and although he expressed regret over betting on the sport, Rose always took pride in his contributions to the game.
As the MLB playoffs begin, Rose’s passing coincides with another thrilling October in baseball. The postseason kicked off this week with wild-card series games, where the best teams in the league compete for a World Series title. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros are among the teams vying for a shot at the championship. With no 100-win team for the first time in a decade, this year’s playoffs are as unpredictable as ever.
As the baseball world mourns Rose’s death, the excitement of the 2024 postseason will honor the legacy of players like Rose, whose contributions to the game will never be forgotten.
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