Pete Rose, the iconic baseball figure known for revolutionizing sports betting akin to Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing, passed away at his Las Vegas home on Monday at the age of 83. The cause of death has not been determined.
Renowned for his relentless hustle on the field, Pete Rose, famously dubbed “Charlie Hustle” for sprinting to first base even on walks, left an indelible mark on Major League Baseball (MLB). Over a stellar 24-year career, during which he spent the majority with his hometown team, the Cincinnati Reds, Rose became MLB’s career hits leader with 4,256 hits. His accolades include 17 All-Star appearances, three World Series championships, a National League MVP title, and a World Series MVP award. Rose also maintained an impressive career batting average of .303.
“Every summer, three things are going to happen,” Rose once said, “the grass is going to get green, the weather is going to get hot, and Pete Rose is going to get 200 hits and bat .300.” His consistency and dedication made him a surefire candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame, with baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth promising him a prominent spot. However, that honor was never realized.
In March 1989, Rose found himself at the heart of a betting scandal, second only in notoriety to the Chicago Black Sox scandal of 1919. As the manager of the Reds, Rose was discovered to have bet on games involving his team. Though he denied any wrongdoing, Ueberroth’s investigation unearthed substantial evidence, including witness testimony, documentary proof, and telephone records, indicating Rose’s extensive betting on professional baseball, particularly Reds games, during the 1985, 1986, and 1987 seasons.
While there was no evidence that Rose ever bet against his own team, MLB rules were unwavering. Betting on games involving one’s own team—regardless of the outcome—results in an automatic lifetime ban from baseball. This rule rendered Rose ineligible for the Hall of Fame and likely delayed the legalization of sports betting by a decade.
Rose’s fall from grace was particularly poignant due to his immense passion for baseball. He had a remarkable ability to recall details from games long past and obscure player statistics. In July, Rose claimed the scandal cost him $100 million, reflecting on what he could have earned had he not been suspended. This claim was made during a Los Angeles screening of the HBO documentary series “Charlie Hustle & The Matter of Pete Rose.”
Despite his tarnished reputation, Rose continued to bet on baseball in Nevada casinos, where it was legal until 2018. “I don’t think betting is morally wrong,” Rose stated in his 2019 autobiography, “Play Hungry.” He also asserted, “I don’t even think betting on baseball is morally wrong. There are legal ways, and there are illegal ways, and betting on baseball the way I did was against the rules of baseball.”
Signing autographs and memorabilia for his enduring fans wasn’t merely a source of income for Rose; it also seemed to offer him solace. Engaging with fans who valued the positive impact he had on baseball provided a semblance of healing for his embattled soul.
