Major League Baseball suffered a great loss on Monday evening when news of Pete Rose passing came to light. The all-time hits leader was a 17-time All-Star.
Rose, who was 83 at the time of his death, experienced a career that only few have ever achieved in the sport of baseball. His downfall, though, came in the form of gambling and doing so on the game that he had played. For that, Rose became a pariah and remains barred from the Baseball Hall of Fame to this day.
Nonetheless, some of the game's greats expressed their gratitude, sorrow, and thoughts on one of the best to ever step inside the diamond.
"Pete Rose was a great inspiration to many as a player," wrote Rafael Palmeiro on X. "He played the game the way it was meant to be played."
The news of Pete Rose passing struck many around the game.
Absolutely heartbroken to hear the devastating news about Pete Rose's passing. ?'"
He always brought a smile to my face when we worked together at Fox. He was true original and 1 of 1. Nobody loved baseball more than Pete and I'll miss him terribly. pic.twitter.com/gNsjWOJaQM
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) October 1, 2024
"Words can't describe how I feel right now my Idol and friend growing up wanting to be Pete Rose you'll be dearly missed my friend RIP my Brother," Wade Boggs shared on X.
Barry Larkin, who played his rookie season during Rose's final campaign, wrote on X, "RIP Hit King Pete Rose." Likewise, Jose Canseco offered his thoughts and prayer before adding, "Another player that should be in the HOF."
ESPN's Eduardo Perez was live on SportsCenter when he learned of Rose's passing. Perez, who played 13 seasons and three with the Reds, was emotional when he shared the news.
"Today's a big hit for a lot of baseball families... it's a tough one right now," he shared before struggling for his words.
Rose spent 19 years with the Cincinnati Reds, five years in Philadelphia, and one season with Montreal. He left the game with 4,256 hits. He was a part of three World Series-winning clubs and took home MVP in one of those title runs.
