Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose has died at the age of 83

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose has died, according to multiple reports. The Cincinnati native, who became Major League Baseball's hit king, was 83 years old.

The Western Hills High School graduate signed a professional contract with the Reds after graduating. After making it to the big leagues, Rose made an immediate impact with Cincinnati, batting .273 and being named National League Rookie of the Year.

A key part of the Big Red Machine and the Great Eight, Rose was MVP of the National League and World Series and helped lead Cincinnati to two World Series titles.

Rose then signed with the Phillies in 1979. At the time of signing, he was the highest paid athlete in team sports. A year later, he won his third World Series title. He was in Philadelphia until the 1984 season when he was granted a release and signed a one-year contract with the Motreal Expos. In August 1984 he was sent back to Cincinnati.

Rose immediately became player-manager when he returned to Cincinnati. During his second stint with the Reds, Rose became the all-time hits leader, breaking Ty Cobb's record with his 4,192. hit in 1985. He finished his career with a total of 4,256 hits, 3,215 singles and 3,562 games played.

During his playing career, Rose was also a 17-time All-Star and received two Gold Glove Awards. His No. 14 is retired in Cincinnati and he is in the Reds Hall of Fame.

After retiring as a player in 1986, Rose remained with the Reds as manager. He was fired in 1989, the same year Rose was banned from baseball following allegations that he acted in baseball games while playing for and managing the Reds. Rose eventually admitted in his autobiography that he had bet on baseball games during his time with the Reds, including Cincinnati's. He stated that he never bet against the team.

His ban made him permanently ineligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. He applied for reinstatement several times, but his requests were rejected.