LAS VEGAS (Diya TV) — One of baseball’s most polarizing figures, and its all-time hits leader, Pete Rose died Sunday. He was 83 years old. 

Rose, affectionately known as “Charlie Hustle,” set a record 4,256 hits during his 24-year career. He was a mainstay on three World Series championship clubs-the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. A 17-time All-Star, Rose was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1963 and Most Valuable Player in 1973, anchoring his place among baseball’s pantheon of greats.

However, scandal overshadowed Rose’s stellar career. In 1989, Major League Baseball (MLB) banned him for life after an investigation revealed that he had wagered on games, including those in which his team, the Reds, were involved, while managing. While Rose denied every bet on baseball for nearly a quarter of a century, in his 2004 book, My Prison Without Bars, he finally admitted to making wagers on games, although he insisted he had never bet against the Reds. While he expressed much repentance over his deeds, he requested reinstatement to the game several times, including from Commissioner Rob Manfred, which was rejected in 2015.

Rose grew up and was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began with the Reds. He became known as a serious worker and someone who always played with a lot of passion for the game. He once said, “You make your own skill by working harder and trying harder than anyone.” Played for the Philadelphia Phillies, and he played for the Montreal Expos before he finished his career with the Reds.

Rose is one of the most iconic baseball figures in history because he pursued excellence, but his legacy remains complicated. Though the accomplishments on the field cannot be denied, a permanent ban from the Hall of Fame and MLB based on his involvement with gambling has darkened the light on a great career.

Although Rose expressed deep regret later in life, claiming that gambling was one of the things he would take back if he could, his ban remained in effect. In other cities, including Cincinnati and Philadelphia, fans remembered him for his relentless effort and love of the game.

He is survived by his children and grandchildren, who carry on the complex but enduring legacy of baseball history with Pete Rose.