Pete Rose, Major League Baseball’s all-time hitting leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic accomplishments and Hall of Fame hopes by betting on the game he loved and embodied formerly died. He was 83 years old.
Clark County Nevada spokeswoman Stephanie Wheatley confirmed on behalf of the medical examiner that Rose died Monday. Wheatley said the cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
For fans who celebrated their coming of age during the 1960s and 1970s, no player was more exciting than No. 14 of the Cincinnati Reds.
The man nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” was invited to the All-Star Game 17 times and won the World Series three times. He was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1973 and the World Series Most Valuable Player two years later.
He holds the major league records for games played (3,562) and at-bat appearances (15,890) as well as the NL record for longest hitting streak (44).
But no mark comes close to that of 4,256 strikes to safety, which at the time allowed him to beat the 4,191 of his idol Ty Cobb.
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