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Reactions pour in after death of controversial baseball legend

October 1, 2024 | | Print Article

Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose died Monday at the age of 83, and despite being one of the greatest to play the game, Charlie Hustle, as he was known, left this earth without obtaining the highest honor — being selected for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

In addition to being one of the best to ever play the game, Rose was also on MLB’s permanently ineligible list for betting on Cincinnati Reds games as a manager.

Rose played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos, and accumulated a record-setting 4,256 hits over his 24-season career. The 1973 National League MVP also played on three World Series champion teams – the “Big Red Machine” in 1975 and 1976, and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. When his playing career ended, Rose became manager of the Reds, but that came to an abrupt end when it was revealed that he was gambling on his own team – Rose would eventually admit to his sin after long denying it.

“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the news of Pete’s passing,” Bob Castellini, Reds principal owner and managing partner, said in a statement. “He was one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen, and every team he played for was better because of him. Pete was a Red through and through. No one loved the game more than Pete and no one loved Pete more than Reds Country. We must never forget what he accomplished.”

“The Reds are heartbroken to learn of the passing of baseball legend Pete Rose,” the Reds announced on X.

Longtime teammate Johnny Bench, a Hall of Famer himself, said in a statement: “My heart is sad. I loved you, Peter Edward. You made all of us better. No matter the life we led. No one can replace you.” 

The woke league released a somber, if nondescript statement on the passing of Rose, who once said, “I’d walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball.”

“Major League Baseball extends its deepest condolences to Pete Rose’s family, his friends across the game, and the fans of his hometown of Cincinnati, Philadelphia and beyond who admired his greatness, grit and determination on the field of play. May he rest in peace,” MLB said in a statement.

The irony of Rose being denied his rightful place in the Hall of Fame was captured in a post shared by FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla

Reactions to Rose’s death poured in online, from teammates and other great players to some critics.

Here’s a quick sampling of those responses, as seen on the social media platform X:

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