Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hits leader who was banned from the sport, has passed away at age 83.

For fans who grew up in the 1960s and ‘70s, no player embodied excitement quite like the Cincinnati Reds' No. 14, “Charlie Hustle.” With his shaggy hair, puggish nose, and muscular forearms, Rose was a brash superstar. In an era of artificial turf, divisional play, and the rise of free agency, Rose was a gritty throwback to baseball’s early days. Millions will remember him crouched at the plate, scowling in determination, running full speed to first base—even after a walk—or diving headfirst into the bag in pursuit of the next base.

Major League Baseball, which banned him in 1989, issued a brief statement offering condolences and recognizing his “greatness, grit, and determination on the field.” Reds principal owner and managing partner Bob Castellini added, “Pete was one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen. We must never forget what he accomplished.”