Pete Rose, gambler and baseball legend, passes away

Pete Rose, known as Major League Baseball’s hit king, has passed away in Las Vegas, a spokesperson for Clark County in Nevada confirmed on behalf of the medical examiner. The cause of his death has not yet been determined. Rose, who was 83, has set career records with 4,256 hits, 15,890 appearances at the plate, 3,562 games played, and 3,215 singles. His most celebrated feat was in 1985, when he broke the all-time MLB hit mark held by Ty Cobb to score his 4,192nd career hit. Pete Rose was a 17-time All-Star over his career at a record five different positions, including left and right fielder plus first, second and third baseman. He also won the season battling titles in the years 1968, 1969 and 1973.

Gambling scandal

His over 24-season career came to an abrupt end with a scandal as the then-manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He received a lifetime ban from the sport for gambling. He was found to have placed bets on baseball while playing and managing the Reds. He denied ever doing so. The following month, attorney John Dowd documented betting activity by Rose in 1985 and 1986. He produced a day-by-day gambling account for 1987 that included Rose betting on 52 Reds games while he was also the manager of the team. In August, 1989, he was deemed permanently ineligible, including for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Bart Giamatti who was the then MLB commissioner announced his ban. Eight days later, Giamatti died of a heart attack. Rose was a two-time World Series winner with the Reds. He also played for the Montreal Expos and won a World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2004, he admitted to betting on baseball as manager in his autobiography. However, he refused betting against the Reds and manipulating the game’s outcome.

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