Pete Rose, 83, a former Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds icon, died on Monday, ABC News announced.
Rose, one of baseball’s best players of all time, was a 17-time All-Star, three-time batting title winner, and had the most hits in history (4,256). His best season was in 1973, when he won the Most Valuable Player award with a.338 average and 230 hits in 160 games. Rose spent the first 16 years of his career in Cincinnati before signing a four-year, $3.2 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 1979 season.
Former Phillies World Series champion Pete Rose dies at 83
Rose played five seasons for the Phillies, collecting four All-Star berths, a Silver Slugger, and a World Series triumph in 1980. He was a member of three division championship teams and contributed to the Phillies’ historic second World Series participation in four years in 1983.
Rose hit.291 in 745 games for the team, with eight home runs and 255 RBI. His stay ended abruptly after the 1983 season, when the team fired him following a (then) career-worst season in which he hit.245 with a.602 OPS in 555 at-bats.
The Phillies issued a statement following Rose’s death on Monday:
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 1, 2024
After being released by the Phillies, Pete Rose played his final three seasons with the Montreal Expos and Cincinnati Reds, solidifying his legacy in 1985 by surpassing Ty Cobb’s long-standing record to become Major League Baseball’s all-time hit leader. This record had been in place since 1927. During this period, Rose also managed the Reds, becoming MLB’s last player-manager.
Rose retired from playing in 1986 but continued managing the Reds until 1989 when he was permanently banned from baseball following gambling allegations. As a result, he was never inducted into the Hall of Fame during his lifetime, despite efforts to reinstate him. In 2016, he was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame, and although he was set to receive similar recognition from the Phillies in 2017, the event was canceled due to another controversy. He made one last appearance in Philadelphia in 2022 during the Alumni Day celebration honoring the 1980 World Series team.
Alongside holding the MLB record for most hits, Rose also holds the records for games played, singles, times on base, and career runs by a switch-hitter. Upon his 1986 retirement, he also had the highest fielding percentage for a right fielder at 99.14%. While playing for the Phillies, he primarily manned first base, where he started 702 of his 745 games, but also saw time in both corner outfield and infield positions. Together with Mike Schmidt, Rose formed one of the most dynamic duos in baseball history.
Despite off-field controversies tarnishing his reputation, Rose remains one of baseball’s greatest players. His records and impact, especially with the Phillies, endure as part of his lasting legacy.
Leave a Reply