SEPTEMBER 11, 1985 | CINCINNATI, OHIO • Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds became the all-time hits leader on this date in baseball history (1985). Charley Hustle, as he was known, got hit number 4,192 in the first inning to break Ty Cobb‘s record. Rose was 44 years old and in his 23rd major league season when he set the new record.
Rose, long admired for his fierce competitiveness, has since become persona non grata around baseball. He was banned from the game by Commissioner Bart Giamatti for gambling on baseball while he was a manager. Evidence surfaced that he even bet on his own team. His banishment has also made him ineligible for the Hall of Fame.
But you can’t argue with Rose’s lifetime numbers:
Hits: 4,256
Batting average: .303
Runs scored: 2,165
All-Star games: 17
MVP: 1973
CONTRIBUTING SOURCES:
September 11, 1985 box score
Pete Rose stats
