The cause of death for baseball legend Pete Rose has been officially determined. Rose, who holds the record for the most hits in Major League Baseball history, passed away at the age of 83. The Cincinnati Reds confirmed his death to USA TODAY Sports. According to the Clark County Coroner’s Office in Nevada, Rose died from hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, requires the heart to exert more effort to pump blood because of the increased pressure on the artery walls, as explained by the Mayo Clinic. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries, obstructing blood flow.
Rose made his final public appearance at the Music City Sports Collectibles and Autograph Show in Nashville, Tennessee, just a day before his passing at his Las Vegas residence. During the event, he was seen in a wheelchair while reconnecting with former teammates Dave Concepcion, George Foster, Tony Perez, and Ken Griffey Sr. The collectibles company that organized the event shared a photo of the reunion, noting, “Amazing that they all got to see each other one last time.”
In a segment on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Tuesday, fellow Reds icon Johnny Bench mentioned that he attended the collectibles show on Saturday and just missed the chance to see Rose on Sunday. Bench expressed his worries about Rose’s health, which had been a topic of concern among his teammates. “The guys were very concerned about him on Sunday because they said he just wasn’t the same old Pete,” Bench reflected, adding, “It’s sad. It really is.”
Rose’s legacy in baseball is marked by his unparalleled achievements, but he was also banned from the sport in 1989 for gambling on games involving the Cincinnati Reds while he was managing the team. Despite the controversies surrounding his career, he remains a celebrated figure in the world of sports.
The news of his passing has prompted tributes from fans and fellow players, all acknowledging his impact on baseball. Rose’s contributions to the game, both on and off the field, will not be forgotten, even as his life came to a close surrounded by friends and fellow athletes.
His passing marks the end of an era for many who followed his storied career. The baseball community mourns the loss of a player who dedicated his life to the sport and left an indelible mark on the game.
