Pete Rose, baseball’s ultimate hustler, has officially slid into home base for the last time—at the ripe age of 83. Known to fans as “Charlie Hustle” (and to his opponents as “That Guy Who Won’t Quit”), Pete passed away on Monday, September 30, at his Las Vegas home, according to his agent, who confirmed the news to TMZ. You know it’s serious when TMZ is involved.
Details about his passing are as scarce as a hot dog vendor in the 9th inning. “The family is asking for privacy at this time,” his agent stated, likely while dodging calls from every sports journalist on the planet.
Pete’s baseball career was the stuff of legends—24 seasons, 4,256 hits, and more slides than a water park on the Fourth of July. And that hit record? Yeah, still standing tall like the Statue of Liberty waving a baseball bat. Derek Jeter came close with 3,465 hits, but let’s be real, Pete’s record is like the high score on your favorite arcade game that no one ever beats.
Pete was synonymous with the Cincinnati Reds—both as a player and later as a manager, because why stop at breaking records when you can break the rules too? Of course, we can’t forget the “minor” detail about that whole gambling thing that got him permanently ejected from the sport in 1989. Apparently, betting on baseball games when you’re managing them is a big no-no. Who knew?
While Pete may be rounding the bases in the afterlife now, one thing’s for sure: he’s still hustling. Our thoughts, prayers, and a solid “Atta boy!” go out to his loved ones. May he rest in peace… or keep sliding into eternity, whichever comes first.
RIP, Charlie Hustle. We’ll miss you and your unbreakable records. (And your interesting relationship with the rule book.)
