Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose passed away on Monday at his home in Las Vegas due to a serious heart condition, according to a statement from a Nevada coroner on Tuesday.
83-year-old Rose, monikered Charlie Hustle, had been dealing with hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This condition makes the blood vessels thicker and less flexible, causing the heart to strain as it circulates oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
Melanie Rouse, the coroner from Clark County, Nevada, confirmed the cause of death. This type of heart condition is quite common, affecting nearly half of Americans over 45, and it often worsens with age.
Pete Rose’s health has recently declined, as people saw him in a wheelchair during his last public appearance on Sunday at a sports memorabilia show in Nashville, Tennessee.
Back in 2018, Rose openly admitted to his health issues when his attorneys revealed in court filings related to his divorce that he was “in poor health and disabled.” They also noted that Rose had difficulty walking, was on blood thinners, and had undergone three heart procedures in five years.
“His health is deteriorating,” court documents read.
Despite his health challenges, Pete Rose maintained a busy schedule, traveling across the country for various sports memorabilia events. He also made frequent appearances at Las Vegas casinos, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.
During Sunday’s event in Nashville, Pete Rose reunited with some of his former teammates from his time with the Big Red Machine at the annual Music City Sports Collectibles and Autograph Show. A photo shared on Facebook showed Rose in a wheelchair, with his teammates standing beside him.
Pete Rose’s passing came as a shock, according to a post by his agent. He had attended a meet-and-greet event in Nashville, Tennessee, just the day before. According to TMZ Sports, Rose was in a wheelchair at the event due to back pain.
A family member discovered Pete Rose’s body at his residence. Rose’s MLB career spanned from 1963 to 1986. He earned NL Rookie of the Year in 1963 and NL MVP in 1973. Throughout his career, he led the National League in batting average three times, on-base percentage twice, doubles five times, runs four times, and hits seven times.
Pete Rose retired as and still holds the title of, MLB’s all-time leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), and plate appearances (15,890). He also earned two Gold Gloves, won three World Series, and received the World Series MVP title.
READ MORE: Pete Rose Controversy: Why Was MLB’s Hit King Banned for Betting?
Picture credit: © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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