Pete Rose died Monday, just about 61 years after the end of his first MLB season. A cause of death has yet to be determined.
“Charlie Hustle,” as he was known for his relentless playing style, fell short in his bid to make the Hall of Fame during his lifetime. Only the gambling prevented him from getting in as his accomplishments on the field are unquestionably Hall of Fame worthy.
Rose’s 4,256 hits are 67 more than Ty Cobb’s career mark for the most in MLB history. Rose also played in the most games and had the most at-bats in history. In a playing career that spanned from 1963 to 1986, Rose won three batting titles and led the league in hits seven times. He was Rookie of the Year in 1963, a 17-time All-Star and the National League MVP in 1973.
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My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Rose produce an impressively long career peak, starting with a 5.6 rWAR in 1965 and lasting until his seven rWAR season in 1976, the end of the Big Red Machine. In that time his rWAR never fell below 4.1 and he accumulated 67.7 rWAR in those years. His best season came in 1973, his MVP season, with an 8.3 rWAR. He led the majors in plate appearances and hits, batting .338 with a .401 OBP. He scored 115 runs, one of ten season in which he hit the century mark.
Defensively, he played anywhere the Reds needed him to play. At third base in 1976, I remember him playing right on top of Mickey Rivers in the World Series, taking away the chop hits from the Yankees speedster.
I did not particularly like Pete Rose, and as I went through my life I often found myself involved with people who I later found out felt the same way. A friend in college had a poster of Rose at which we flung darts. I joined a Strat-o-Matic league, and at the first draft I attended found that the they opened with the burning of Rose’s strat card.
He brought out very strong emotions in fans. That came from his great intensity when it came to winning. That desire to compete and win likely led to his downfall over gambling.
I do wonder with him gone if baseball will allow his election to the Hall of Fame. I would not mind that.
What I would like to see is a blank line on each HoF ballot, so the voters can write in whoever’s name they like. If Pete gets 75.0%, so be it.
Personally I wouldn’t. Yes the rule was changed after he agreed to permanent banishment, but why should someone on the permanent ineligible list get in. It’s one rule, the same rule for everyone, a marginal player and the guy with the most hits.