Rose Confirms Playing Days Over

Pete Rose confirmed his retirement as a player in an announcement Monday at the baseball winter meetings in Dallas.

“I will not bat again,” said Rose, the all-time hit champion and manager of the Cincinnati Reds. “I’m 46 years old and if I’m not retired, I should be.”

Rose did not play at all last season. Most thought he was finished, although many never wanted to hear that “Charlie Hustle” was hanging ‘em up.

“I thought I was already retired,” Rose said, downplaying the news. “I never saw a reason to make an announcement.”