(Patriot.Buzz) – After fans were left in shock over the announcement that baseball legend Pete Rose, known as “Charlie Hustle,” had passed away at 83, we now know what actually killed him.
Rose’s remarkable 24-season career (1963-1986) with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos was marked by numerous accolades.
He was a 17-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner and three-time World Series champion.
Rose’s competitive spirit and dedication to the game earned him the National League MVP title in 1973 and the World Series MVP in 1975.
Despite his on-field brilliance, Rose’s legacy was tarnished by a gambling scandal that saw him getting a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989.
He initially denied the allegations but finally admitted in 2004 that he bet on games, even those where his own team was playing, although he insisted he never bet against the Reds.
“I was absolutely 110% wrong for what I did. But to do something like I did, and that’s bet on baseball games — and now you’re punished for the rest of your life — I don’t think it makes a lot of sense to a lot of people,” he said.
The controversy surrounding Rose’s ban has sparked heated debates among fans and baseball enthusiasts.
Many argue that his on-field accomplishments should outweigh his off-field mistakes, especially considering the changing landscape of sports betting in America.
Others saw the MLB’s refusal to reinstate Rose, even in his final years, as an overly harsh punishment with no hopes of potential for redemption.
In the days leading up to his death, Rose’s declining health became apparent. He was seen in a wheelchair at an autograph show in Tennessee, surrounded by former Cincinnati Reds teammates.
The Clark County Coroner’s office revealed that Rose died of natural causes, determining that hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were the main factors, but diabetes also played a role.
As fans gather at Rose’s statue outside Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati to pay tribute, it is clear that his impact on the game and its followers remains unchallenged.
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