My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thought this was a fair and sensitive biography of a complicated and controversial man. This book was excellently researched and the author was able to get cooperation of many of the players, family and even mistresses of Pete Rose. The book confirms to me that Pete was a vain, greedy, self-serving and not a very smart man, not someone who you would want as a friend or be around with.
The author documents Rose’s playing exploits on the baseball field, which were legendary and his off field foibles which were many. Well I think it was easy to admire Pete Rose the player, it must’ve been very hard to admire Pete Rose the man. It’s as if he never grow up.
All that being said, I think the Pete Rose deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Yes his gambling, particularly on baseball, may be disqualifying. However I have not read or heard of any evidence where he directly or indirectly affected the performance or results of a baseball game. What Pete Rose achieved on the field, he achieved largely on his own merits. I did not read of any evidence that he took steroids or performance-enhancing drugs.
This book is an excellent read for any sports fan but especially for this reader as I remember watching Pete Rose’s career, particularly when he played for the 1980 Phillies who won the World Series that year.
Esot-eric 
Any reasonable person would be appalled while reading the book “Charlie Hustle.” It’s the subject of the book that’s appalling, not the book. It is a good thing that Rose was banished from organized baseball, and that he cannot be considered for the Hall of Fame. That’s a minor thing compared to how dishonest and selfish he was to his wife and children (including his daughter by his mistress), and everyone else he came into contact with. Many life-long fans of Rose should re-assess their devotion to him. Parents who want to bring their children to Rose to obtain autographs should check out this book and re-evaluate their parenting priorities.
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Gene, I don’t disagree with your assessment. He is certainly not a role model as a husband, father or friend. As far as the Hall of Fame, I agreed with your position until recently. The bar for responsible and moral behavior by athletes in all sports has been lowered. On field, his performance merits Hall of Fame consideration; off the field he deserves the criticism that you levied and that I agree with.
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Hi Eric, thanks for your reply!
Rose isn’t being kept out of Baseball because of his immorality; it’s because he bet on baseball while a player and manager, lied about it for decades, and couldn’t bring himself to admit anything to the Commissioner(s) when they allowed him to appeal for reinstatement.
I’ve read several interviews given by current Hall of Famers over the last 20 years -including former teammates- who all stated they would never participate in future gatherings at Cooperstown if he were ever voted in.
thanks for your time,
Gene
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