One of the greatest of all-time departed the bonds of Earth the other day.

This “GOAT” is headed for realms unknown, but while he was on the planet, Pete Rose elevated the game of baseball and the word “hustle” to new levels. 

In the end, Rose, who was known as Charlie Hustle for the nonstop intensity he brought to the playing field, gave hustle a whole new meaning. 

He also leaves behind a legacy of controversy that centered around allegations and apparently proof that he placed bets on the game he absolutely loved so much. 

Betting on sports is legal these days, but not if you play the game at a professional level. To do so would be like spitting on grandma’s grave. You don’t do that. 

You don’t tug on Superman’s cape or pull the mask off the Lone Ranger either. There will be consequences. 

So as Rose slides into his final home plate, wherever that may be, he takes with him a branding by baseball purists who called for his hide and to this day have him banned from enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Does he belong there? 

Based on his statistics and the passion he brough to the game, I believe he does. But when you consider the rule he apparently broke, then adamantly denied breaking, you have to look at other factors. 

I will never forget watching the legendary 1970 major league All-Star game. It was the 12th inning, and the score was tied with Rose on base. A hit ignited Rose’s now famous sprint toward home plate in that game.  Crouched in his way, was Cleveland Indians catcher Ray Fosse in full catcher’s gear.   

Rose accelerated as he plowed into Fosse, knocking Fosse out of the way as the Reds all-star scored the winning run in a contest many people did not take seriously. 

Pete Rose did. Fosse, who was never the same after the impact, would no doubt concur. The dazed catcher saw a lot of mental stars after that. 

In his pro career, which lasted from 1963 to 1986, Rose batted above .300 for the year 15 times. He had a career batting average of .303. 

Having a batting average above .300, which actually means you succeeded three out of 10 times up to bat and failed the other seven times, is a treasured standard in pro baseball.  

Perhaps even more astounding when compared with today’s pro players, Rose played all those years with the Cincinnati Reds. That is rarer these days than .300 hitters. 

He was legendary for running to first base when he was walked by opposing pitchers. The hustle never ended. 

Unfortunately, hustle in this case had more than one meaning. 

Rose was accused of hustling bets on pro baseball games and was subsequently banned from baseball and barred from entry into the Cooperstown shrine, the MLB Hall of Fame. 

He denied the charges against him, then eventually admitted doing wrong...kind of. 

There is a move to enshrine Rose in the Hall. Those efforts are spearheaded by many who say the Hall is for honoring playing ability. And, by that standard alone and arguably with Rose’s lofty stats, he therefore belongs in the Hall. 

Others argue just as vehemently that more than stats should be involved to be considered among baseball’s best. Character, it is argued, has to be considered. 

If that second argument is true, I suspect the Hall would be a lonely place. Two of my favorites, former Yankee stars Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle, were known for their fondness for booze, yet their bronze busts are in Cooperstown. 

But Rose’s alleged transgression brought into play the possibility of cheating on the game. Was he, as a key player, influencing games in which he participated and therefore rigged the bets in his favor? 

The one guy who had the answers just dove head-first into another realm. 

And he leaves behind guys like me, one-time baseball junky Chuck who as a kid worshipped guys like him, with a baseball scar. 

Say it ain’t so Pete, say it ain’t so! 

RIP, Charlie Hustle.