Pete Rose, the legendary baseball player who became MLB’s all-time hits leader and one of the sport’s most controversial figures, died Monday at the age of 83, according to a report from TMZ that was confirmed by his agent, Ryan Fiterman.

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Rose, a Cincinnati native, made history during his career, which spanned from 1963 to 1986, accumulating 4,256 hits—a record that still stands today.

However, his legacy was marred by a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 for gambling while managing the Cincinnati Reds, his hometown team.

Rose’s ban from the sport came just four years after he broke Ty Cobb’s long-standing hits record.

Despite his numerous achievements on the field, including setting records for most games played, most at-bats, most singles, and more, Rose’s ban kept him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Roses and other items were placed at the statue of former Cincinnati Reds player Pete Rose outside of Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. News broke Monday night that the Cincinnati native had died at the age of 83.

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He was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1963, an honor that came despite limited scouting opportunities, which he only received due to family connections.

Throughout his 24-year career, Rose was selected to 17 All-Star teams, won three batting titles, two Gold Gloves, and was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1973.

Rose played more than 500 games at five different positions during his career, a testament to his versatility on the field.

One of Rose’s most notable achievements came during the 1978 season, when he recorded a 44-game hitting streak, tying a nearly century-old National League record.

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He was also part of three World Series-winning teams, including two with the Cincinnati Reds during the 1970s as a member of the “Big Red Machine.”

Rose was named the MVP of the 1975 World Series. He later helped the Philadelphia Phillies secure their 1980 World Series title.

Despite his success, Rose’s legacy is often overshadowed by his gambling scandal.

In a 2018 interview with The Cincinnati Enquirer, Rose expressed regret over his actions, particularly his involvement in betting on baseball. “There’s only one thing I would change if I had to live it all over again … I would obviously turn my life around and not bet on baseball,” Rose admitted.

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Rose’s gambling led to his ban from baseball, which he resisted admitting for 15 years before coming clean in a tell-all book published in 2004.

In 2015, Rose sought reinstatement from MLB, but then-commissioner Rob Manfred denied the request.

One reason for the denial, according to Manfred, was Rose’s admission that he continued to bet on sports, including baseball, after his initial ban. “Significantly, he told me that currently, he bets recreationally and legally on horses and sports, including baseball,” Manfred stated at the time.

Reflecting on why he didn’t confess in 1989, Rose said in the 2018 interview that he was afraid of losing everything. “I was trying to hold on as long as I could. Baseball is all I had, and I was trying to support two young kids,” Rose said. “If I got kicked out, there was nothing to fall back on.”

Despite the controversy, Rose remained a beloved figure in Cincinnati.

“Free Pete” T-shirts were often seen at Reds games, and he was warmly received by fans in his hometown.

Rose eventually moved to Las Vegas, where he signed autographs and made appearances for money, although he faced financial and tax-related issues over the years.

Rose’s later years were marked by occasional endorsement deals and TV commentator roles, though these opportunities were often overshadowed by controversies.

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One such controversy involved allegations that he had relationships with underage girls while playing for the Reds in the 1970s. Rose denied the claims, saying the woman was 18 at the time.

Rose, who was married twice and most recently engaged, is survived by his children Fawn Rose, Pete Rose Jr., Morgan Erin Rubio, Tyler Rose, and Cara Rose, who acts under the name Chea Courtney.

Despite his personal struggles and controversial legacy, Rose remained connected to his roots. “I’ve been all over the world, and to this day, Cincinnati is the baseball capital of the world,” Rose said.

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