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Engraved portrait of Pete Rose
Sports · 1970s

Pete Rose

In memoriam 1941–2024
Baseball (Infielder/Outfielder)Sport
Reds, Phillies, ExposTeams
3 World Series championshipsTitles
Most career hits (4,256), games (3,562), at-batsRecords
Peter Edward Rose, Cincinnati, OhioBorn
The Turning Point

Rose earned the nickname 'Charlie Hustle' as a rookie in 1963 for his all-out style of play, winning NL Rookie of the Year. He became a superstar as the spark plug of Cincinnati's 'Big Red Machine,' winning the 1973 National League MVP and leading the team to back-to-back titles.

Pete Rose in his Cincinnati Reds uniform
Pete Rose in his Cincinnati Reds uniform

Charlie Hustle

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Rose played with relentless energy that earned him his famous nickname. He sprinted to first base on walks and dove headfirst into bases throughout his career.

The Hit King

Rose broke Ty Cobb's all-time hits record in 1985, finishing with 4,256 career hits. He anchored Cincinnati's Big Red Machine and won three World Series titles across 24 seasons.

Ban and Legacy

In 1989 Rose was banned from baseball for gambling on games, keeping him out of the Hall of Fame. He died in 2024, and MLB reinstated him the following year, opening a path to Cooperstown.

Career Timeline

  1. 1963Wins National League Rookie of the Year
  2. 1973Named National League Most Valuable Player
  3. 1975World Series MVP as Reds win title
  4. 1976Wins second straight World Series with Reds
  5. 1978Records a 44-game hitting streak
  6. 1980Wins World Series with Philadelphia Phillies
  7. 1985Breaks Ty Cobb's all-time hits record
  8. 1986Retires as MLB's all-time hits leader
  9. 1989Banned from baseball for gambling
  10. 2024Dies at age 83 in Las Vegas
  11. 2025Reinstated by MLB, becoming Hall eligible

Biggest Hits

1985
All-time MLB hits record (4,256)Surpassed Ty Cobb's longstanding record
1980
Three World Series championshipsTwo with Cincinnati and one with Philadelphia
1973
National League MVPLed the Big Red Machine to glory
1975
World Series MVPStarred as Cincinnati won the title
1978
44-game hitting streakLongest in National League modern history
1985
Seventeen-time All-StarSelected at a record five different positions
Did You Know
  • Rose holds MLB's all-time records for hits, games played, at-bats, singles and outs, marks that still stand today.
  • Despite his on-field achievements, he was banned in 1989 for betting on baseball; MLB reinstated him posthumously in 2025.

Portrait: Unknown author · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

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