Conventional wisdom often suggests that a sincere apology and display of remorse can mitigate even the gravest errors. In the case of Pete Rose, baseball’s all-time hit king, many believed that a candid admission of guilt regarding sports betting allegations would have resulted in a lighter punishment and eventual reinstatement into baseball’s good graces, culminating in his enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. However, as the HBO documentary Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose vividly illustrates, Pete Rose is not a man built for conventional narratives or easy redemption.
Pete Rose: A Baseball Icon and His Tangled Legacy
For generations of baseball enthusiasts, the mere mention of Pete Rose ignites passionate debates, particularly concerning his Hall of Fame eligibility. For many, witnessing Rose surpass Ty Cobb’s record was a defining moment in their baseball fandom. The question of his place in Cooperstown remains divisive: should his unparalleled on-field achievements outweigh the severe transgression of betting on baseball, a cardinal sin in the sport? The documentary Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose dives headfirst into this complex dichotomy, offering an immersive, if lengthy, exploration of a figure as celebrated as he is controversial.
A prevailing sentiment echoed before the documentary’s release was that Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose could serve as a platform for Rose to finally express genuine contrition, potentially swaying public opinion in his favor. Some speculated that a carefully crafted narrative of remorse might pressure baseball authorities to show leniency, especially given Rose’s advancing age. Director Mark Monroe, however, avoids such a simplistic approach. Instead, he allows Pete Rose to be unequivocally himself, for better or worse, resulting in a documentary that is far more nuanced and challenging than a mere public relations exercise.
Despite its four-hour runtime, which at times feels excessive and repetitive, the documentary’s length mirrors the very essence of its subject. Pete Rose’s career longevity, playing well into his 40s through sheer will and determination, despite perhaps outlasting his peak physical prowess, is a testament to his relentless nature. Monroe’s directorial approach, characterized by allowing Rose’s true personality to dominate the screen, enables Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose to navigate a precarious balance. It acknowledges Rose’s embodiment of the American ideal during his prime in the 1960s and 70s, while unflinchingly confronting his subsequent disgrace and his consistently glib and opportunistic attempts at acknowledging his wrongdoings.
Pete Rose was more than just a baseball player; he was “Charlie Hustle,” a symbol of grit, dynamism, and baseball intelligence. He maximized his talents through sheer hard work and determination, becoming an archetype of the blue-collar American dream, particularly in Ohio. Yet, beneath the surface of this admired figure was a compulsive gambler who bet on baseball, a transgression he has never genuinely seemed to grasp the gravity of, at least in the eyes of baseball purists. (Compounding the controversy, Rose has faced various allegations over the years, ranging from corked bats to drug conspiracies and statutory rape, all of which he vehemently denies.)
Rather than offering neat resolutions or easy answers, Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose presents a multifaceted portrait of a man whose greatness and downfall are inextricably linked to his inherent character traits. The documentary doesn’t aim to convert opinions but instead plunges viewers into the moral ambiguities surrounding Rose. Faced with a choice between embracing humility or doubling down on hubris, Rose, predictably, leans into the latter, and Monroe captures this uncomfortable truth with a keen eye and a subtle smirk.
When Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose focuses on Rose’s early baseball career, it adopts a straightforward, almost conventional biographical approach, effectively illustrating his significance. Pete Rose was an electrifying player, the cornerstone of the legendary Cincinnati Reds “Big Red Machine” of the 1970s, and a pivotal addition to the Philadelphia Phillies team that broke a long championship drought.
The documentary skillfully interweaves three narrative threads: a chronological career retrospective, the tragic downfall of the 1980s and 90s gambling scandal, and present-day footage capturing Rose’s life in Las Vegas and his continued engagement with baseball. The modern segments, featuring Monroe’s fly-on-the-wall perspective during interactions with former teammates and baseball luminaries, as well as public appearances where Rose remains a beloved figure, are particularly compelling and insightful. The documentary even follows Rose on a fraught return to Philadelphia, where questions about statutory rape allegations overshadowed a planned championship reunion, highlighting the persistent cloud of controversy that follows him.
The present-day narrative arc emerges as the documentary’s strongest component, offering candid and often poignant moments. Similar to Steve James’ Bill Walton documentary, The Luckiest Guy in the World, Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose subtly incorporates the theme of mortality. The film juxtaposes the aggressive, youthful “Charlie Hustle” with the visibly aged, slower Pete Rose of today, subtly reinforcing the arguments made by Rose and his supporters that a Hall of Fame induction delayed until after his death would be a profound injustice.
This contrast is indeed persuasive, yet it is counterbalanced by the persistent discrepancies between Rose’s public pronouncements and the underlying truth. Monroe’s directorial voice occasionally interjects to reassure viewers that inconsistencies in Rose’s accounts of his misdeeds are being challenged. The documentary’s editing deftly presents, without explicit commentary, instances where Rose’s statements demonstrably contradict established facts.
Viewers are left to grapple with the stark contrast between Rose’s almost photographic memory for baseball trivia – game scores, opposing pitchers, statistics – and his remarkably selective amnesia regarding the timeline of his baseball betting or the age of a young woman involved in a long-term affair.
As Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose progresses, particularly into its latter half, a sense of unease pervades as Rose repeatedly deflects opportunities for genuine repentance. The viewer cringes, sensing Monroe himself perhaps wincing behind the camera. Rose emerges as the central figure seemingly devoid of self-awareness.
Spending four hours in the company of Pete Rose is, undeniably, a challenging experience. At times, he is a captivating storyteller; at others, he is evasive, snide, and seemingly oblivious to evolving societal norms. He embodies the archetype of someone who can deliver falsehoods with such unwavering conviction that his staunch defenders readily overlook blatant contradictions, even within the same conversation, let alone across interviews spanning decades. Ted Keith of the Sports Business Journal aptly observes a “Trumpian” quality in Rose, a comparison that resonates deeply upon viewing the documentary.
Keith provides the most articulate and credible voice within the documentary advocating against Rose’s forgiveness, or at least against a rush to absolution. While John Dowd, whose report was instrumental in Rose’s banishment from baseball, appears only through brief, vague quotes, and Tommy Gioiosa, described as a shady associate and surrogate son, is featured in a 2012 interview, the documentary largely leans towards voices sympathetic to Rose.
Numerous interviewees express unwavering admiration for Rose or frame his narrative as a Shakespearean tragedy deserving of a redemptive conclusion. Figures like Al Michaels, Lesley Visser, and Mike Schmidt offer compelling endorsements, while more peripheral figures, such as actor Chad Lowe (whose connection is rooted in growing up in Ohio), feel less impactful. Notably, the documentary reveals absences among Rose’s contemporaries – fellow players who readily appear alongside him at events but decline to offer on-camera testimonials. The reasons for such reticence are readily apparent; acting as a character witness for Pete Rose carries considerable reputational risk.
The documentary lacks official representation from Major League Baseball or the Cincinnati Reds, and Monroe’s approach leans towards observation rather than traditional journalistic investigation. Consequently, Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose may not unveil groundbreaking revelations or “news,” particularly in the absence of any fresh confessions from Rose himself. This might prevent the documentary from being definitively conclusive. However, Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose offers an unparalleled, if at times uncomfortable, opportunity to inhabit Pete Rose’s world for four hours. If that prospect seems unappealing, it is unlikely that Pete Rose will alter his narrative or his manner of delivery to accommodate any dissenting perspectives.
