Pete Rose and Johnny Bench, 1971.
“Charlie Hustle” played the game as it should be played, and played it better than almost any other figure in baseball history. He played every game as if his life depended on it. Charlie Hustle was an integral part of two National League dynasties. Of course, most people associate him with the 1970s Cincinnati Reds – one of the best teams to ever take a Major League Baseball diamond.
His fire and enthusiasm was contagious; Charlie Hustle – who played five different positions during his long career – was a leader by example. He exemplified the term “team player” at a time when selflessness was still recognized, and his attitude and full-speed-ahead mantra translated into World Series rings.
And Charlie Hustle bet on baseball.
I grew up in the 70s and 80s, grew up with Pete Rose being one of the living legends of sport. Even as a kid, though, I thought he seemed like the kind of guy who might associate with criminals. Charlie Hustle had a bit of an unsavory edge to his personality, or perhaps the edge was just rough. Perhaps my memories of him during this era have been tainted by the subsequent years of interviews, revelations and controversies. Should his lifetime ban be lifted, should he be in the Hall of Fame, blah blah blah. I will give him every bit of credit for being one of baseball’s greatest – and Charlie Hustle was very smart, as well; no one knew the game better than he did. Yet…
Even a Little Leaguer can recite a player’s one golden rule: Do not bet on baseball.
Pete Rose, a vital cog in the Big Red Machine, dead at 83.
