4192: The Crowning of the Hit King

This review contains spoilers only if you don't know much about sports history, but I digress...

In 2009 James Toback directed the film Tyson. A documentary about "Iron Mike" Tyson that took you through his rocky childhood, his relationship with Cus D'Amato, his meteoric rise, and devastating fall. The aim of that particular doc was clear: It attempted to humanize the former heavyweight champion.

I see the same ambitions with 4192: The Crowining of the Hit King. Not in the sense that it tries to humanize Charlie Hustle. Many baseball fans (including myself) already sympathize with Pete Rose, knowing full well his lifetime ban was caused by his own pride and hubris.

What this documentary does attempt to do (and I believe succeeds at doing) is to acknowledge Pete Rose as an extraordinary baseball player to whom few can hold a candle. Like Toback 4192's director, Terry Lukemire, delves into Rose's childhood, his influences as ascended in the ranks (father Harry Rose and Tony Perez), however it ends when Rose breaks Cobb's record. placing the ending there specifically states the film's purpose: To make a case, based purely on merit, for Rose's entrance into Cooperstown.

The way Lukemire makes his case, however, is absolutely brilliant. It's really amazing how good a documentary you can make when you have choice stock footage and good editing. Also like Toback, Lukemire really knows how to draw fantastic responses from his interviews. I have never seen Pete Rose more animated and expressive (keep in mind I was born after the Big Red Machine) and hearing his recollections was the strongest part of the picture.

4192: The Crowning of the Hit King does have a specific end result that it's aiming for. With that in mind it does it incredibly well and I highly recommend this documentary.

This film is a wonderful re-introduction of the Pete Rose that we all remember - running to first base on a walk; diving head first into the base; mowing over unfortunate catchers who had the guts to block home plate from Pete. Over the course of Pete's life, sometimes some of these great triumphs have become diluted with some of the more negative aspects that we are all aware of. 4192 shines a brilliant light on the things that we all want to, and should, remember Pete for. It's a film that should be shared with families. In my case, it will be a great father/son experience when I have a chance to watch it with my two boys.

Pete tells his own story, along with some help from his friends like Tony Perez, Mike Schmidt and Marty Brennaman. We learn about Pete's relationship with his father, and how his influence was the bedrock of the almost super-human work ethic that Pete still has today. We also learn why Pete bombarded Ray Fosse at the plate in the 1970 All Star Game, instantly defining Ray's legacy in baseball history.

The film takes you through the years at Crosley Field and then on to Riverfront Stadium where the Big Red Machine became arguably the best team in major league history. At the end, 4192 culminates with a replay of Pete's first at on September 11, 1985. Hit number 4,192: The Crowning of The Hit King.

4192: The Crowning of the Hit King (2010)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Exceptional documentary taking a look at the career of Pete Rose who would go down into history for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time hit record on September 11, 1985. The documentary features Pete sitting and discussing the big moments of his career from how he got involved in baseball, being signed by the Reds, various World Series titles, famous hit streaks, signing with Philadelphia, returning home to the Reds and just about everything else you can think of. There's the infamous take out play at home during the All Star game, a famous fight he was involved in and just about everything else you'd remember about his playing career. Marty Brennaman, Tony Perez, Paul O'Neil and Mike Schmidt are among the people interviewed who share their memories of some of the most memorable moments in baseball history. If you're looking for a complete documentary that covers Rose's personal life, ban from baseball and the various "issues" that have came up since he retired from playing then you'll certainly want to skip this because non of that stuff is mentioned. I personally think that's a great thing because most of the stuff dealing with Rose for the past twenty years has all been negative so it's good to find a piece that just looks at the great stuff he did and I think the case about the Hall of Fame is easily made here without having to give a speech or dive into some sort of message. It was really a lot of fun hearing all of these stories from Rose who talks about them with a certainly flair and you can still see that passion in his eyes when he talks about these events. Just look at how upset he gets when discussing the three World Series loses that he suffered as a player. Rose really comes across open and good here as he tells these stories and even at two-hours you really wish the film had gone on longer. Baseball buffs, Rose fans or just those getting into sports should really enjoy this thing as it's a fitting tribute to the legend.

This is a fascinating and important sports documentary about the most-winning athlete in the history of ALL sports ----> Peter Edward Rose.

It details how Pete Rose became the all-time baseball hit king, beating Ty Cobb's record, and then going on to produce an astonishing 4256 baseball hits.

To this day, Pete Rose #14, has the record for the most hits in the great-American game of baseball. And yet he is not in Baseball Hall of Fame, despite owning what is arguably the greatest single major league record in the history of the game.

This movie tells his incredible story from start to finish, as he grows up, hustles his way into the major-leagues, and then out-works, out-hustles and out-performs, just about every other player for 24-seasons.

PETE ROSE -- HIT KING.

MOST WINNING PLAYER, ANY SPORT, EVER.

ONCE AND FUTURE HALL OF FAMER.

See the movie 4192 -- you will enjoy it and you will see just how totally and incredibly amazing everything Pete Rose accomplished as a baseball player.

This movie gets 10-Stars!!

I am lucky enough to know Pete Rose and I was lucky enough to be included in the first premier of his new documentary 4192.. I can't say enough good things about this movie. Not only was it well done, but it was a story told by Pete, about Pete, for the fans. Pete Rose has always been about the fans and he still is. I think that having Tony Perez and Mike Schmidt in the movie was also awesome. Former team mates talking about how Pete played the way he did and what an honor it was for them and him. It's inspirational, uplifting, and a little emotional. If you had a child that played baseball or any sport for that matter you would most definitely want them to see this movie. I loved it! Could have named this movie 4193 because it's another hit for Pete!!