Rose, Pete (1941-) American baseball player and manager, who set the major league record for career hits (4256).A switch-hitter who played both infield and outfield, Rose was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1963 and became the National League's (NL's) rookie of the year that same year. He remained with the Reds through 1978, then signed to play with the Philadelphia Phillies (1979-1983). Rose opened 1984 with the Montréal Expos but in late season returned to the Reds, where he finished the year as player-manager. He retired from play in 1986 but continued to manage the Reds until 1989.
Throughout Rose's 24-year playing career he established a reputation for pushing his natural talents beyond the limits of expectation. His aggressive baserunning more than compensated for his lack of speed and earned him the nickname Charlie Hustle. Rose was known for his enthusiasm and effort, including his penchant for head-first slides into bases. In 1973 he was named the NL's most valuable player. His energy on the field continually impressed his nationwide fans, who elected him to 17 All-Star teams, at five different positions. Among Rose's numerous career landmarks were his NL record-tying 44-game hitting streak (1978) and his 1985 surpassing of Ty Cobb's record of 4191 career hits. Rose led the NL in batting average three times (1968, 1969, 1973), and he finished with a career batting average of .303. When he retired from play in 1986, he left an impressive statistical legacy: among all-time major league leaders, Rose ranked first in games played (3562), at bats (14,053), and base hits (4256).
An investigation concerning allegations that Rose bet on baseball games, including those of his own team, resulted in his lifetime suspension from baseball in 1989. Rose insisted that his gambling activities had never involved baseball, but he agreed not to challenge the baseball commissioner's ruling in court. His personal problems continued, and in 1990 he pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion, for which he served time in prison. In a controversial decision, the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction committee voted in 1991 to deny induction eligibility to anyone banned from major league baseball. The focus of the decision was Rose, who had been expected to win election in 1992, his first year of eligibility.
"Rose, Pete," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2003
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2003 Microsoft Corporation.
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I may have A-D-D, but I.... Oh look at the kitty...
Edited by - Xenocideforme on 15-07-2003 23:04:44
Tue Jul 15, 2003 5:47 am 
Fame I guess... didn't he do some coke too?
