The embattled hit king was essentially two people.

 

On the field, he was a hard-working competitor who turned a nickname meant to disparage him into a badge of honor.  That nickname was Charlie Hustle.  

 

Off the field, ego and vices tarnished his reputation with disgrace.  He served a prison stint for tax evasion, was banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame for gambling, and later admitted to it.

 

He said he never bet against his team. But was that enough to forgive him for violating the rules?

 

Now he is gone, everyone who loves the sport will debate whether or not he should be honored in the Hall of Fame.  The numbers would garner unanimous support for that were they not connected to the faults of a human being who didn't live up to the expectations set by his on-field accomplishments.

 

We should have sympathy for the man lost and his family, who are grieving his passing.  We should respect the accomplishments on the field and the way he played the game.  

 

As for the debate about his place in baseball's Hall of Fame, it seems too soon to respectfully sort that out.