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The highs and lows of Pete Rose's career and post-baseball life

by Gabriela Carroll
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Former Phillies player and baseball’s hit king Pete Rose died Monday at the age of 83. Known on the field for his hits and hustle, Rose is almost as well known for what he did off the field, including betting on baseball and receiving a lifetime ban. Here’s a look back at some of the highs and lows of his career and life …

SUSAN WINTERS/DAILY NEWS

1963: Rose named Rookie of the Year

Urban Archives, Temple University

Rose won NL Rookie of the Year with the Cincinnati Reds. He hit .273 for the season.

1969: Rose wins the batting title

Rose hit .348, beating Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente for the batting title. He also set career bests in OBP (.428) and slugging (.512).

1970: All-Star Game collision

AP

Rose collided with Cleveland catcher Ray Fosse in the All-Star Game, looking to score the winning run. Fosse suffered a fractured and separated shoulder and was never the same player afterward.

1973: Rose wins MVP

MARTY LEDERHANDLER / AP

Rose won NL MVP with 230 hits and a .338 batting average. The Reds made the NLCS against the Mets, where Rose started a benches-clearing brawl. Fans at Shea Stadium started throwing objects at Rose and the game was nearly called off.

1975: Rose wins his first World Series

Anonymous / AP

Rose moved to third base from the outfield. He won his first World Series and World Series MVP with the Reds against the Red Sox.

1976: A perfect postseason

Rose helped the Reds repeat as World Series champions, sweeping each round of the playoffs. The 1976 Reds are still the only team since the playoff expansion in 1969 never to lose a game in the postseason en route to a title.

1978: Rose notches hit No. 3,000

Steve Helber / AP

Rose earned his 3,000th hit with a single against the Montreal Expos, becoming the 13th player in MLB history to reach that milestone. Rose also had a 44-game hitting streak, the first serious run at Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game streak.

1980: Phillies win first World Series

Clem Murray / Staff

Rose won the World Series with the Phillies, defeating the Royals to win the first championship in franchise history.

1985: Rose becomes baseball’s hit king

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rose broke Ty Cobb’s all-time hits record with his 4,192nd hit on Sept. 11. Later, Deadspin reported that Rose used corked bats in pursuit of the record.

1986: Rose’s playing career ends

Rose retired as a player on Nov. 11 as a member of the Reds. He would continue managing.

1989: Baseball bans Rose for life

Bob Levey / MCT

Rose was accused of betting on baseball, including on the Reds, while serving as manager. He was deemed permanently ineligible for the Hall of Fame and has not been reinstated. In 2004, he admitted to gambling on baseball and the Reds.

1990: Rose goes to prison

HughE Dillon

Rose was sentenced to five months in jail for tax evasion based on false tax returns from selling autographs and memorabilia and gambling. He was released in January 1991.

2016: Rose accused of statutory rape

John Minchillo / AP

Rose was accused of statutory rape in a filing by attorney John M. Dowd, who alleged Rose had a sexual relationship with a minor in the 1970s, when Rose was in his 30s. Rose admitted to the relationship but denied knowing the girl’s age.

2022: Rose’s rocky return to Philly

JOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer

The Phillies honored Rose at the ballpark. Rose was met with a mixed reception from fans, some of whom booed him in his return. He also brushed off questions about what his appearance meant for women: ‘It was 55 years ago, babe.’