Charlie Hustle: Leading With Relentless Work Ethic
I find it apropos that I recently began doing reading about my childhood baseball hero, Pete Rose, and yesterday he is reinstated to baseball. It’s about time! As excited as I am about that and the prospect of him finally getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame, that’s not what this post is about. It’s about “Charlie Hustle.” Rose’s determination and energetic approach earned him the nickname, symbolizing his never-give-up attitude and dedication to the game. Pete Rose was nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” because of his incredible work ethic, relentless effort, and constant hustle on the baseball field. He was known for his aggressive style of play—always giving 100%, running hard to first base (even when walked), sliding headfirst into bases, and never giving up on plays.
In the book I just finished, Pete Rose: An American Dilemma, by Kostya Kennedy, Wade Boggs was said to have commented that it doesn’t take any ability to hustle and that he had learned the game from Pete Rose. The beauty of it is that hustle and effort are qualities accessible to us all, regardless of natural talent or skill level in whatever we do. Pete was known for getting to the baseball park before everyone and leaving after everyone was long gone.
One of my prized possessions in my office is a signed photograph of Pete sliding head-first into second (see featured photo). He inscribed it “SAFE”. It reminds me every day to hustle and jump head-first into everything I do, giving it my all. We can learn from the example of Pete Rose’s relentless work ethic and hustle on the field
Byron's Babbles 
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