Pete Rose’s Health: What We Know About the Late Reds Player After His Death

Image Credit: Getty Images for Harold and Caro

Before he died, Pete Rose was known for his impressive stats and personality in the MLB. From his years playing for and managing the Cincinnati Reds to his gambling controversy, the late baseball star was nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” for his grit and skill in the league. Rose’s death, therefore, came as a shock to the baseball world and his fans, and many want to know what he died from. In the years leading up to his death, Rose claimed his health was declining.

Was Pete Rose Sick Before His Death?

According to court documents obtained by TMZ in September 2018, Rose claimed that he was “disabled and can barely walk or travel.”

“His health is deteriorating and has a heart condition and on blood thinners,” read the documents, which were part of Rose’s divorce from ex-wife Carol Rose. The court filing also claimed that Rose’s health was “deteriorating” at the time.

(Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Harold and Carole Pump Foundation )

What Did Pete Rose Die From?

It’s still unclear what Rose’s cause of death was at the time of publication. He was reportedly found dead by a relative at home on September 30, 2024. In the days leading up to his death, Rose attended an autograph show in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Cincinnati Reds mourned the loss of their former manager in a statement shared via X (formerly known as Twitter). Team owner Bob Castellini called Rose “one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen, and every team he played for was better because of him.”

“Pete was a Red through and through,” Castellini continued in his statement. “No one loved the game more than Pete and no one loved Pete more than Reds Country. We must never forget what he accomplished.”

Pete Rose’s Gambling Controversy

In 1989, Rose was accused of gambling and betting on the Reds while he was still managing them. He was then deemed ineligible for induction into the MLB Hall of Fame. At first, the former switch hitter denied the gambling accusations.

In the early 2000s, Rose finally confessed to betting on his team. Per a 2007 interview with ESPN Radio, the late athlete said he would “bet on [his] team to win every night because [he loved his] team.”

“I did everything in my power every night to win that game,” he added during the interview. “I made a big mistake. It’s my fault, It’s nobody’s else’s fault.”