Pete Rose “Charlie Hustle”

Peter Edward Rose Sr. is a retired American professional baseball player. He was born on 14th April 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and played for three teams in Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1986. He is known popularly as Pete Rose and bore the nickname “Charlie Hustle” throughout his career. He played in 3,562 games and currently holds the record for the most hits in MLB history with 4,256 hits.

Career Overview

Pete Rose started playing organized youth baseball as a switch hitter, under the guidance of his father at the tender age of eight. He played baseball in high school, and after his graduation, was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1960. He played three seasons in the minor league before making it to the Major Leagues.

Rose was never the most talented player, but through his hard work, determination, and fighting spirit, it took him little time to establish himself in the league. He fought to the top of the batting order, became the team’s regular second baseman, and was named Rookie of the Year. His hardworking and opportunistic nature made New York Yankees’ pitcher Whitey Ford give him the nickname “Charlie Hustle,” which stuck.

After his first year, Rose went on to become a key figure on his team. In 1965, his career really took off after he batted .312 and had a league topping 209 hits, marking the beginning of a legendary stretch. It was the first of the 15 seasons he would hit at least .300, the first out of record ten seasons he would record 200 or more hits, and the first of five years he would lead the league in hits.

Three years later, Rose won the 1968 batting championship, his first of three, hitting .335. This was close to his highest ever recorded average of .348.

In no time, Rose had become a key figure in his team, and many developing players looked up to him. He also made a switch from second base to the outfield in 1967. This change in a position never affected Rose negatively, and he actually went on to win two Gold Gloves in 1969 and 1970 while playing the position.

For the seven most prosperous years of the club’s history, Rose was the leader of the team and its backbone. They were unstoppable during this time in the 1970s and were known as the “Big Red Machine.” The Reds won their division 5 times and made it to 4 World Series during this time, and are still considered one of the most successful teams of all time.

In 1975, Rose helped lead Cincinnati to a World Series, winning the series’ Most Valuable Player award. The Reds also won the next season.

Achievements

•          1963 Rookie of the Year

•          1973 National League MVP

•          1975 World Series MVP

•          1976 Roberto Clemente Award

•          1981 Silver Slugger Award

•          Two time Gold Glove Award

•          Three-time World Series champion

•          Three-time National League Batting champion

•          17-time All-Star

•          MLB All-Century Team

•          Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

MLB Records

•          Ten seasons with 200 hits or more

•          3,215 career singles

•          3,562 career games played

•          4,256 career hits

•          14, 053 career at-bats

•          15,890 career plate appearances

•          Lifetime batting average of .303.

Retirement and Later Life

Rose played for two other teams before returning to the Cincinnati Reds as a player and then a coach. He retired in 1986. After retirement, he has worked as a WWE ring announcer and then a Fox Sports Analyst.

Rose is still excluded from the Hall of Fame due to his involvement in gambling. He was banned after he was found to have gambled on the games he played in, though he allegedly only ever gambled on his own teams winning.