‘Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose’ Review: HBO Doc Lets the Disgraced Baseball Legend Make, and Ruin, His Hall of Fame Case

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As a lifelong baseball fan and someone who grew up idolizing Pete Rose during his prime years with the Big Red Machine, I found “Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose” to be a fascinating yet frustrating documentary experience.

It’s commonly believed that if Pete Rose had openly admitted and shown remorse when betting allegations emerged, his sentence would have been lighter. After a period of public apology and supposedly overcoming his addiction, he could have been eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot again, leading to his induction into Cooperstown and ending the national scandal.

That is not who Pete Rose is, nor who he’s ever been.

Discussing Pete Rose’s baseball achievements and Hall of Fame eligibility with an older baseball fan who grew up admiring him during his record-breaking career can ignite a heated argument. My personal stance oscillates between acknowledging his Cooperstown worthiness but attaching a significant disclaimer to his plaque, and firmly opposing his entrance due to his betting on baseball.

An equivalent perspective exists, suggesting that if Pete Rose had displayed genuine remorse and openness during Mark Monroe’s HBO documentary “Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose,” it might have created a temporary public shift in opinion. Media outlets like ESPN would likely have featured excerpts, generating renewed interest and debate, potentially leading to some leniency for Rose before his passing. Monroe himself would have enjoyed the attention and success that comes with producing a controversial documentary, even if its quality may not have lived up to expectations, and it certainly wouldn’t have necessitated such an extended runtime.

That is not who Pete Rose is, nor who he’s ever been.

As a gamer, I’ve watched my fair share of documentaries, but “Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose” took it to another level with its lengthy runtime. Yet, its prolonged and repetitive nature feels fitting for Pete Rose’s extraordinary career. He defied age, continuing to play until his late forties when most would have retired. Monroe skillfully captures this complexity, allowing Pete Rose to be himself – a hero and a villain all at once. The documentary masterfully balances acknowledging Rose’s idealized American image during the ’60s and ’70s with the subsequent disgrace and his questionable attempts at admission.

I’ve always been captivated by the extraordinary story of this enigmatic figure in sports history. He was a man of raw determination and unyielding resilience, pushing beyond the limits of his natural talent to achieve feats that left many in awe. His tenacity embodied the quintessential American, and specifically Ohioan, working-class spirit.

Instead of being clear, conclusive and redemptive, Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose is a complicated snapshot of a man whose greatness and downfall stemmed from similar personality traits. I’m not sure it’s going to end up changing anybody’s opinions, but its journey into an increasingly deep moral muddle makes for fascinating, if unlikable, viewing. Tasked with deciding whether to evolve into Charlie Humility or stick with Charlie Hubris, Rose just can’t help himself, and Monroe laps up the cackling ambiguity.

When Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose is the story of Rose’s early baseball stardom, it’s straightforward and unremarkable, but makes its point. Pete Rose was a fun and exciting baseball player, the anchor of one mini-dynasty — the Big Red Machine Cincinnati teams of the 1970s — and a key piece of the squad that ended a long Philadelphia championship drought.

The documentary explores three different storylines: the first follows Monroe’s career journey, the second delves into his tragic past during the 1980s and 1990s, and the third presents Monroe’s current life in Las Vegas. In this modern-day segment, Monroe interacts extensively with the crew for in-depth conversations and accompanies them on a typical day of his life. Based in Las Vegas, Monroe frequently travels to Cooperstown for autograph signings and attempts to rejoin baseball, albeit tentatively. The documentary captures Monroe’s controversial trip to Philadelphia, during which his dismissive remarks regarding statutory rape overshadowed a championship celebration.

In modern times, Monroe’s segments in the documentary are the most engaging and enjoyable to watch. He blends seamlessly into conversations with his Reds teammates and baseball legends, bringing humor and poignancy. Additionally, his interactions with the public continue to capture their undying affection for him.

In Steve James’ noteworthy documentary “The Luckiest Guy in the World” about Bill Walton, mortality plays a significant role. We are frequently reminded of the contrast between the energetic, rough-and-tumble Rose from his younger years and the slow, painful way he moves in his eighties. This comparison, emphasized by both Rose and numerous interviewees, implies that it would be unfair if his Hall of Fame induction occurs posthumously.

In Rose’s case, the contrast works to his benefit, yet there’s a disparity between his outgoing demeanor and reality. Monroe includes his own voice in the documentary to allay doubts among skeptics, implying that probing inquiries are being made when Rose provides conflicting responses regarding his misconduct. The film editing swiftly presents evidence without added commentary whenever he makes apparent falsehoods.

After that, it becomes the responsibility of the audience to judge for themselves if there’s any questionability surrounding Rose’s exceptional recall of his baseball accomplishments – including game results, opposing pitchers, and statistics – versus his vague recollections about when he began wagering on baseball or the age of a woman he had a lengthy affair with.

In the second part of the documentary, you’ll likely cringe frequently as Rose is presented with opportunities for redemption but repeatedly rejects them. It’s hard not to wince, both for you and for Monroe, who seems just as frustrated. The one person in this film seemingly unaware of her actions is Rose herself.

Pete Rose can be quite challenging to listen to for extended periods of time. At times, he’s an engaging storyteller, but other moments, he comes across as rude and elusive with a limited grasp of the modern world. He’s the type of character who tells tales with such conviction that his supporters won’t mind when one statement contradicts something he said just a few minutes prior, let alone in interviews from 1992 or 2004. When Ted Keith compares Rose to Trump, it’s hard not to agree.

Keith, an employee at the Sports Business Journal who specializes in writing, is known for his strong and reliable stance against Michael Rose, although the documentary includes some ambiguous comments from John Dowd, the person responsible for the report that led to Rose’s downfall, as well as an interview with Tommy Gioiosa, a questionable friend and adopted son of Rose, conducted in 2012.

Many interviews feature people who deeply admire Rose or believe his story warrants a positive conclusion, including notable figures like Al Michaels, Lesley Visser, and Mike Schmidt. In contrast, some interviewees, such as Chad Lowe, have less to contribute due to their tenuous connections to Rose (he hails from Ohio). There are often noticeable absences of typical peers in Rose’s circle – players who may attend events with him but decline to discuss his case publicly. The reasons for this reluctance are obvious: providing testimony for Pete Rose could bring unwanted attention or complications.

The documentary “Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose” lacks official statistics from Major League Baseball and teams like the Reds. Additionally, Monroe’s reporting style isn’t typical of journalism, so I’m unsure if there are any new or groundbreaking revelations in this piece. However, even without fresh confessions from Pete Rose, this documentary provides an unparalleled four-hour insight into his thought process. If that doesn’t appeal to you, don’t count on Pete Rose altering his narrative for your benefit.

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2024-07-23 18:56