Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose has died at the age of 83, according to TMZ.
MLB legend Pete Rose passed away on Monday.
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Rose’s agent, Ryan Fiterman of Fiterman Sports, confirmed the news to the outlet, saying, “The family is asking for privacy at this time.”
ABC News also confirmed his death with the medical examiner in Clark County, Nevada.
Rose’s career was overshadowed by his gambling habit which ultimately earned him a lifetime ban from baseball.
The lifetime ban from the game kept him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., even though he still holds numerous career and single-season records.
In addition to holding the record for most hits (4.256), Rose also holds the records for the most games played, at-bats, times on base, and singles in baseball history. However, he also made the most outs in MLB history.
Rose was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1963 during his first season with the Reds, despite being largely overlooked by scouts. He only received a tryout due to his uncle’s connections.
During the course of his 24-year career, Rose was selected as an All-Star 17 times and earned the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1973. He claimed three batting titles and two Gold Gloves while playing in more than 500 games at five different positions.
His remarkable 44-game hitting streak in 1978 captured national attention, tying a nearly century-old National League record and establishing the modern-day mark for the league.
Rose was a key member of three World Series championship teams, including two titles with the famed Big Red Machine in Cincinnati during the 1970s, where he was named MVP of the 1975 Series. He also secured another championship with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.
Rose denied betting on baseball for nearly 15 years. He finally admitted that it was his biggest regret in his tell-all book that was published in 2004.
“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,” Rose said. “Having said that, I feel like I’ve been a pretty good citizen.
“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.”
He is survived by his children Fawn Rose, Pete Rose Jr., Morgan Erin Rubio, Tyler Rose, and Cara Rose (who acts under the name Chea Courtney).
The Newsweek Sports family sends its deepest condolences to the entire Rose family and friends during this tough time.
