The cause of death of Pete Rose, all-time MLB hits leader, was hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the Clark County coroner’s office announced Tuesday, according to WLWT5. He also reportedly had a significant condition of diabetes mellitus.
His manner of death is considered natural.
According to the Mayo Clinic, atherosclerosis is “the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls,” which can narrow the arteries and block blood flow. The buildup, also called plaque, can burst, leading to a blood clot. Hypertension, another word for high blood pressure, is a risk factor for atherosclerosis.
Rose’s death in Clark County was announced Monday, prompting an outpouring of tributes and tougher questions about the legacy of a man with three World Series titles, the MLB record, a lifetime ban on baseball betting, a conviction for tax evasion and a statutory rape charge.
Rose spent his last full day of life performing with other Reds legends at an autograph show, but he spent much of his post-playing life as a baseball pariah. After it emerged that he had gambled on his own team as Reds manager, Rose accepted a permanent ban from baseball, with the understanding that he could request reinstatement as long as he remained in the good graces of the MLB. He lied about his gambling for years and at one point turned down an offer with the conditions that he told the truth and stopped gambling.
Before that, Rose left an indelible mark on the MLB record books with his pursuit of Ty Cobb’s hits record. He retired with 4,256 hits, a mark that may never be reached again, as well as 17 All-Star selections, three batting titles, an MVP award, two Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger and a Rookie of the Year award.
