Charlie Hustle is gone. Reds legend Pete Rose, who is baseball's reigning hit king, passed away Monday at his Las Vegas home. He was 83. The Clark County Coroner's Office says Rose died from heart disease, and he also suffered from diabetes mellitus. Rose had attended a memoribilia show in Nashville Sunday, along with Big Red Machine teammates George Foster, Tony Perez, Dave Concepcion, and Ken Griffey Senior. The Rose statue outside Great American Ballpark has become a makeshiftmemorial since word of his passing. Fans have been dropping off roses, baseballs, and even jerseys on the statue depicting Rose sliding headfirst. Here are reactions to the news:
Cincinnati Reds:
The Cincinnati Reds extend their deepest condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of Reds Hall of Famer Pete Rose, who passed away earlier today at the age of 83.
“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the news of Pete’s passing,” said Bob Castellini, Reds Principal Owner and Managing Partner. “He was one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen, and every team he played for was better because of him. Pete was a Red through and through. No one loved the game more than Pete and no one loved Pete more than Reds Country. We must never forget what he accomplished.”
Rose, a 17-time All-Star, is the all-time MLB leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053) and singles (3,215). He won three World Series (1975 & 76 with the Reds, 1980 with the Phillies), three batting titles (1968, ’69 & ’73), one National League Most Valuable Player Award (1973), two Gold Glove Awards (1969, ’70), NL Rookie of the Year Award (1963) and 1975 World Series MVP. In 1999, Rose was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
Rose was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2016 and his iconic #14 was retired the same year. His statue outside Great American Ball Park was dedicated in 2017.
Johnny Bench
There will never be another like Pete Rose! He battled his entire life, making it to the Big Leagues on determination and grit. He wanted to win every game and get 3 , no make that 4…no, 5 hits everyday. He won batting title because he had the desire and the goal. He wanted Ty Cobb’s record. Will we ever see this again? 13 seasons of 190+ hits. 3,562 games played. 5,929 times on base. Rookie of the Year, All Star, Gold Glover, Silver Slugger, MVP and World Series Champion. A local kid from Cincinnati who became a King. We were teammates, business partners and more importantly, in spite of what everyone thought, we were friends. I will miss him dearly.
