Pete Rose Has Passed at 83- Major League Baseball All-Time Hits Leader
Say what you want about his personal life or off the field activities; one thing is still for sure… Charlie Hustle was a legendary ball player. A Reds icon. Yet, sadly on Monday the sports world lost yet another great. The dynamic Pete Rose has died at 83.
Upon confirmation of Rose’s passing Major League Baseball issued the following statement:
“Major League Baseball extends its deepest condolences to Pete Rose’s family, his friends across the game, and the fans of his hometown of Cincinnati, Philadelphia and beyond who admired his greatness, grit and determination on the field of play. May he rest in peace.”
Rose is one of the greatest baseball players of all-time, racking up an astonishing 4,256 hits over his 24-season career with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos. Pete famously broke Ty Cobb’s 57-year-old hits record in 1985. He was also a 17-time All-Star and who would go on to win three World Series as well as the 1973 National League MVP.
Speaking of World Series, two of the three mentioned above; Rose won while playing with the Reds. In 1975 and 1976. Therefore, it is very fitting that the organization would also want to share a few words in regards to Mr. Rose. Bob Castellini, the Reds principal owner and managing partner states,
“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the news of Pete’s passing. He was one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen, and every team he played for was better because of him. Pete was a Red through and through. No one loved the game more than Pete and no one loved Pete more than Reds Country. We must never forget what he accomplished.”
Pete Rose Has Passed at 83- Major League Baseball All-Time Hits Leader
Yes, Pete loved being a baseball player. Throughout his life he talked about the game. He once famously said, “I’d walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball.” And we all know he meant that.
Nevertheless, even up until recently, Pete still loved to talk ball. The Enquirer was able to conduct one last interview with Rose this year. And it’s awesome. He gives a nice rundown on all things baseball. For instance, he discusses himself:
“The best position I ever played was first base. The easiest position was left field. …I would think of all the awards you can have in baseball, winning a Gold Glove is probably the most insignificant. Most guys can catch the ball. If you can’t, you don’t belong in a baseball uniform.
[Now when it comes to hitting]… It’s all about adjusting. You’ve got to adjust almost every at-bat. He’ll give you a pitch to hit. Every good pitcher – (Sandy) Koufax, (Juan) Marichal, (Bob) Gibson — they were all great pitchers. But they always give you a pitch to hit. And if you foul it back, you’re (screwed). You better hit the pitch they give you.
Everybody throws hard now. I mean, this guy might throw 97 (mph), this guy might throw 98, and this guy might have an off night and throw 93. But then again when I played you had guys that threw 98. J.R. Richard, Nolan Ryan, guys like that, they threw close to 100. See, Abner Doubleday, who invented baseball, (*smirks*) “he made sure that you will never have a pitcher throw so hard you can’t hit it. You understand what I’m saying? … And there aren’t too many pitchers pitching today that have more than one really good pitch.
That’s the way I played. You know what I like to tell people when they ask ‘how you played’? I like to look them in the eye and say, “I played the right way. I played the way you’re supposed to play.’ Every player should play the way I played. Every day. Not five days a week, not six days a week. Seven days a week. That’s what you owe to the people that pay to get into the games. Bust your ass for nine innings. If it’s an 11-inning game, bust your ass for 11 innings.
Hell, when I played, if they’d have let me, I’d have slept in the (damn) clubhouse.”
Legendary Pete Rose Passes at 83
Nonetheless, all of Rose’s hard work at this point in time will not be immortalized in the Baseball Hall of Fame. For emphasis, this is a man who had a . 303 batting average, 4,256 hits, 160 home runs, 1,314 RBIs and 2,165 runs scored. He won 2 Gold Glove awards, 1 MVP award, the Rookie of the Year award, 1 Silver Slugger award, 1 World Series MVP award and 3 World Series. Definitely HOF material.
However, his lifetime ban is still in place. On August 23, 1989, Commissioner Bart Giamatti suspended Pete Rose from the sport of baseball for life. The 1989 investigation found that Rose, while playing for and managing the Cincinnati Reds, had placed bets on baseball. Whether or not this ban will ever be lifted, especially since sports betting is more prominent throughout the industry remains to be seen. It seems unlikely, but anything can happen.
However, such history didn’t prevent the Baseball Hall of Fame from still releasing their own statement on Rose. They mention,
“The Hall of Fame remembers Pete Rose, MLB’s all-time hits and games played leader, who passed away on Monday. “Charlie Hustle” won three batting titles, earned 17 All-Star Game selections and won three World Series championships.”
A nice, short and sweet acknowledgement. Our condolences are with the Rose family at this time. As well as as all of his friends, past colleagues and fans. Thank you for all the great memories Pete.
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