Baseball Legend Pete Rose Dead at 83

One of the most controversial sports figures of our time has passed away.

The legendary Pete Rose, one of the most accomplished players to have ever stepped on the diamond, is gone.

Unfortunately, Pete did not live long enough to see his ban lifted so he could be entered into the Hall of Fame.

Snubbed

The details of his death are still not known, but I would prefer to focus on this man’s life and playing career instead.

Rose, who truly earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle,” was one of the most dynamic players I have ever seen play the game.

I was lucky enough to have seen him play in person probably a hundred times, if not more.

Rose was part of one the greatest teams to ever hit the diamond in the Big Red Machine, which led to two World Series championships for the city of Cincinnati.

When the Reds came to town, my father always got tickets because I was also a big fan of Johnny Bench.

When Rose left the Reds in 1978 and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, we could not have been happier.

Rose led the “Wheeze Kids” to one of the most exciting seasons the city has ever seen, winning the National League Pennant, then taking down the Kansas City Royals in six games to win the World Series.

I was at one of those games, and it was the first time I had ever felt a stadium move under my feet from the crowd. It was a sensation I have only had one or two times since, and it was truly something special.

Rose made the All-Star team 17 times, won three World Series championships, and has won numerous other awards.

There is one he will always hold dear, which was the hitting title, knocking 4,256 hits over the course of his career.

The one honor he never held, however, was getting into the Hall of Fame, banned from the game after having bet on baseball during his coaching career.

We have seen far worse forgiven and given that honor, but the league, which is now partners with gambling sites and daily fantasy, never saw fit to forgive Pete, even though he never gambled against his team or influenced a game.

For all Rose contributed to the game, his ban has always been firm, with his last attempt at reinstatement taking place in 2022.

Pete Rose applied in a letter to Commissioner Rob Manfred, who took about five seconds to deny Rose reinstatement.

So, Charlie Hustle goes to his grave with shelves of accolades, but the one that mattered the most to him will have to come posthumously, if ever.

Rest in peace, Pete, and thank you for some amazing childhood memories in the game I love.