Pete Rose continues to be a repulsive blemish on the Philadelphia Phillies and baseball as a whole.
The Phillies honored their 1980 World Series championship team Sunday and brought Rose back onto the field in Philadelphia as part of the celebration. Most known for his lifetime ban from baseball after betting on the Cincinnati Reds while he played for and managed the team, Rose also has been accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor during the 1970s.
In 2017, an unidentified woman accused Rose of statutory rape as the two allegedly had a sexual relationship before she turned 16, which was the age of consent in Ohio. At the time of the relationship — which Rose acknowledged but denied happened before she was 16 — the MLB’s all-time hits leader was in his mid-30s and married with two kids.
When the story came to light, the Phillies canceled their plans to honor Rose and induct him into their Wall of Fame that same year. Five years later, however, the Phillies have brought Rose back into the public eye to the dismay of many fans.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Alex Coffey asked Rose what he would say to those who believe his presence at the event sent a negative message to women. Rose’s response? “It was 55 years ago, babe.”
I asked Pete Rose what he would say to people who say his presence here sends a negative message to women. His response: “No, I’m not here to talk about that. Sorry about that. It was 55 years ago babe.”
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) August 7, 2022
Rose’s response is inappropriate at best and misogynistic at worst. Unfortunately, it only gets worse from here, as after the ceremony, Rose attempted to apologize to Coffey by jokingly offering her a thousand signed baseballs.
Rose was made available after the ceremony. Someone, maybe an agent, said he had something to say to me, but he didn't seem to know he was expected to say anything. He asked if he'd offended me, and said "will you forgive me if I sign 1000 baseballs for you" before saying "sorry" https://t.co/w5ikH1jKDR
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) August 7, 2022
When asked by the Associated Press about his interaction with Coffey, Rose said, “if you don’t know a damn thing about it, don’t talk about it.”
(2/2) "You weren't even born. So you shouldn't be talking about it, because you weren't born. If you don't know a damn thing about it, don't talk about it."
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) August 7, 2022
Previously, the Phillies defended their decision to bring Rose back for the 1980 World Series celebration:
“In planning the 1980 reunion, we consulted with Pete’s teammates about his inclusion. Everyone wants Pete to be part of the festivities since there would be no trophy in 1980 without him. In addition, the club received permission from the Commissioner’s Office to invite Pete as a member of the championship team.”
As expected, Phillies fans and baseball fans in general were quite disgusted with Rose’s behavior toward a woman reporter who had every right to ask the question she did.
Baseball fans were appalled by Pete Rose's behavior towards a woman Phillies reporter
Pete Rose managing to make himself look like a worse human being as the Phillies attempted to celebrate his on-field success is very on brand
Really disappointing stuff https://t.co/IUDdjKJ6Ex
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) August 7, 2022
It was going to be a nice easy day at work…
and then Pete Rose opened his mouth before the Phillies game.
— Vaughn Johnson (@VaughnMJohnson) August 7, 2022
Baseball and society have evolved beyond the need for Pete Rose in my opinion
— Jon Tayler, Top 0.1% On OnlyJons (@JATayler) August 7, 2022
The people giving Pete Rose a round of applause at Citizens Bank Park today owe women an apology, as do the Phillies, Rose’s teammates who asked he be included, and Rob Manfred’s office for allowing him to be there.
Baseball does not make women feel safe, welcome, or respected.
— Gabrielle (@gfstarr1) August 7, 2022
this guy sucks! https://t.co/lNVuWkjvN1
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) August 7, 2022
Can’t believe this has to be said, but 4,000 career hits doesn’t excuse you from basic morals and decency.
Keep Rose away. https://t.co/OFqcm0QVE3
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) August 7, 2022
This was always a bad idea. Pete Rose proving it. https://t.co/nq2meI7FXl
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) August 7, 2022
I have no idea why the Phillies are choosing to die on the Pete Rose hill. All he's doing is alienating a sizable chunk of the fan base and tarnishing the org's reputation. https://t.co/EXwXeG5DD9
— Bill Baer (@Baer_Bill) August 7, 2022
Pete Rose is garbage https://t.co/FzbqV0jPw5
— Just Plain Tom (@tcopain) August 7, 2022
Baseball banned Pete for a reason. The Phillies cancelled the Wall of Fame ceremony a few years ago for a reason. It was for this exact one- Pete never feels he needs to answer for his actions. Shame on MLB and the Phils for trying to profit off it and have it both ways. https://t.co/XXAHm7Wt71
— Kevin Cooney (@KevinCooney) August 7, 2022
The fact that Rose throws in “babe” in response is a big tell. https://t.co/poM5b8gn0y
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) August 7, 2022
reminder that Pete Rose is just pure human trash https://t.co/LCXugH6KZ7
— Bill (@Bill_TPA) August 7, 2022
There isn’t a single consequence suffered by Pete Rose that isn’t the direct result of his own actions. He isn’t a victim. It isn’t a matter of debate.
— Sixto Lezcano (@mleif) August 7, 2022
He always has been, and continues to be, a garbage human. https://t.co/mHOYc5ITWE
— Just a Jeff (@Wing2J) August 7, 2022
Very glad that Alex asked the question.
The response is, well, something else. https://t.co/uBYrYCMjjT
— Doug Gray (@dougdirt24) August 7, 2022
So, there you go. 🙄 https://t.co/TCf4NJMZ7B
— Christina Hartman (@HartmanForPA) August 7, 2022
