Pete Rose got clean bill of health just days before death, pal says

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Just five days before baseball legend Pete Rose died, he went to a hospital and was sent home with a clean bill of health.

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According to TMZ, the MLB all-time hits leader was taken to a hospital on Sept. 25 by a friend who believed he was “acting different.”

After undergoing tests, doctors determined the results “appeared fine and did not show anything wrong with Pete,” the friend said.

Rose died on Sept. 30 at the age of 83.

The day before his death, he attended an autograph show in Franklin, Tenn., where he had a reunion with fellow members of the “Big Red Machine” — Dave Concepcion, George Foster, Tony Perez and Ken Griffey Sr.

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Rose, who was in a wheelchair at the event, was seen in a picture posted to Facebook by the Music City Sports Collectables and Autograph Show with the crew.

Perez later told TMZ Sports that Rose wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t acting like his usual self while at the event, where the group signed autographs.

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Perez explained that Rose “wasn’t a talker” at the autograph signing and that he “didn’t even look too good.”

“It’s really hard when it happens,” Perez said of Rose’s death. “We’re just sitting there on Sunday, having a time but not a good time because he was in a wheelchair and he wasn’t feeling that well. He didn’t even look too good. We can see he’s pale a little bit and he wasn’t him at all. He wasn’t the guy I see the last time I see him before Sunday.

“He wasn’t a talker, he didn’t say much. He said, ‘Hello,’ and that’s it but we didn’t go the way we used to go on each other and he used to see me and go … and say a lot of stuff and get on me, ‘You getting old, man. You ugly,’ or whatever. Dave Concepcion and (Ken) Griffey Sr. was there and George Foster from the Cincinnati Reds and really we don’t have that great time with him because of the way he looks and the way he reacts that day.”

Professional wrestling legend Ric Flair also attended the event. The 75-year-old retired grappler was shocked by the news of Rose’s death and posted a tribute on Instagram.

“Just Signing Autographs With You Yesterday Pete! WTF?” Flair posted on Instagram. “You’re Not Supposed To Leave Without Out Saying Goodbye! Love You My Dear Friend!! RIP Knowing Your THE GREATEST EVER!!”

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On Sept. 30, Rose was found unresponsive at his Las Vegas home by his son Tyler, who unsuccessfully attempted CPR.

Rose died of natural causes stemming from hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a statement by the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner. It also determined diabetes was a contributing factor.

Rose was an incredibly controversial figure in the game of baseball.

A three-time World Series champion and 17-time all-star, Rose was banned for life from MLB for betting on his own team in 1989. The ban made Rose ineligible for the Hall of Fame, despite his status of the all-time hits leader.

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