Pete Rose, MLB All-Time Hits Leader, Dead at 83

Throughout his career, Rose earned multiple accolades, including 17 All-Star nominations, three batting titles, three World Series championships, and one World Series MVP Award, Silver Slugger Award, Rookie of the Year Award, and the 1973 NL MVP Award. Rose also won the Roberto Clement Award in 1976 for his professionalism both on and off the field. His #14 has been retired by the Reds organization and he is a member of the Reds Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team.

Defensively, Rose split most of his career between the corner outfield spots as well as first base, third base, and second base sporting a lifetime .987 fielding percentage that saw him also earn two Gold Glove titles.

Following his playing career, Rose managed the Reds across seven seasons and worked at Fox Sports as a colour analyst for some time in the mid-2010s. Rose frequented sports card conventions and public speaking engagements later in life, signing autographs for fans.

Rose’s life was not without controversy, as he was placed on the ineligible list for betting on baseball while still playing and managing within the game and remains outside of the Hall of Fame due to the listing. He denied the reports at first but in 2004, he admitted to the gambling allegations in his book, “My Prison Without Bars”.

His requests and applications for reinstatement over the years have been rejected.

Rose was also let go from his position at Fox Sports when reports surfaced of the player having sexual relations with a teenager in the 1970s, with a subsequent lawsuit filed by Rose against investigator John Dowd due to the allegations. He also spent five months in prison for tax evasion in 1990.

While his off-the-field allegations and gambling have kept him out of Cooperstown and marred his public persona, many will also remember him for his 24 years spent on the diamond and the numerous accolades he collected as one of the best players to play the game.