Pete Rose, the all-time hit leader in Major League Baseball (MLB) who later became infamous for his involvement in gambling, has passed away at the age of 83, the Clark County, Nevada, medical examiner confirmed by MLB.

A family member discovered Rose in his home, and no signs of foul play were reported, according to the medical examiner. The exact cause and manner of his death will be determined through a coroner’s investigation. Rose was reportedly not under a doctor’s care at the time of his passing.

Rose’s career in baseball spanned 24 seasons, with 19 of those years spent with the Cincinnati Reds. Known for his relentless work ethic, he won the hearts of countless fans. He retired holding records for the most career hits, games played, plate appearances, and at-bats. Rose’s accolades include being a 17-time All-Star, the 1973 National League MVP, and the 1963 Rookie of the Year.

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He was also a three-time World Series champion—winning with the Reds’ “Big Red Machine” in 1975 and 1976 and with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.

However, Rose’s legacy is forever marred by his lifetime ban from MLB in 1989, stemming from his involvement in gambling on games while managing the Reds. This scandal began when newly appointed MLB Commissioner Bart Giamatti launched an investigation in April 1989, headed by lawyer John Dowd. By June, the Dowd Report revealed Rose had placed at least 52 bets on Reds games during the 1987 season, his first year as the team’s manager. The report indicated he was betting thousands of dollars daily.

With little recourse, Rose voluntarily accepted his placement on baseball’s ineligible list in August 1989, yet he continued to deny his gambling activities for years. It wasn’t until 2004 that he admitted to betting on Reds games in his autobiography, “My Prison Without Bars.” In an interview with ABC News, Rose confessed, stating, “I bet on baseball in 1987 and 1988… That was my mistake, not coming clean a lot earlier.” He emphasized that he never bet against his own team, adding, “I want[ed] to win every game.”

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In 1991, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced that anyone on the ineligible list would be excluded, a decision that has sparked ongoing debates about Rose’s exclusion. His case even drew commentary from former President Donald Trump, who tweeted in 2020 that Rose deserved a spot in the Hall of Fame despite his gambling, as he had “paid a decades long price.”

Rose sought reinstatement several times, including petitions in 1992, 1998, 2003, 2015, and 2022, but was consistently denied or ignored.

Rose’s performance on the field was beyond reproach. His pursuit of Ty Cobb’s career hits record captured the nation’s attention in 1985, culminating with his 4,192nd hit on September 11 against the San Diego Padres. He finished his career with 4,256 hits, a record that still stands unchallenged. Only a few players, such as Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, and Paul Molitor, have come within 1,000 hits of his record since.

Pete Rose shares tons of baseball knowledge with A-Rod and Frank Thomas. It’s a 6 minute video, but I promise you, it’s the best thing you’ll see about Pete Rose today.#RIPPeteRose pic.twitter.com/dlpBbZ4e1C

— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) September 30, 2024

Rose also made headlines in 1978 when he embarked on a 44-game hitting streak, the second-longest since 1900, falling just short of Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game record.

Despite his ban, Rose’s legacy remained ingrained in baseball culture. His No. 14 was retired by the Reds, and he was voted onto baseball’s All-Century Team in 1999, receiving a standing ovation at that year’s All-Star Game.

Reflecting on his life and career, Rose once said, “I owe baseball. Baseball doesn’t owe me a damn thing. I owe baseball. And the only way I can make my peace with baseball is taking this negative and somehow making it into a positive.”