Pete Rose returned to the Major League Baseball field Sunday to a standing ovation in Philadelphia as the Phillies’ 1980 World Series team was honored in a ceremony.
Sunday marked Rose’s first time back on the field since being banned for life from baseball due to a gambling scandal.
Pete Rose introduced at CBP: pic.twitter.com/YGgwOU6hv9
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) August 7, 2022
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Rose’s return was also clouded by questions related to the baseball star’s alleged relationship with a minor in the 1970s.
Rose dismissed the rape accusations when asked if his presence at the game sent a message to women.
“No, I’m not here to talk about that,” Rose reportedly replied. “Sorry about that. It was 55 years ago, babe.”
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
In court filings, Rose reportedly acknowledged having a relationship with the woman but said he believed she was not a minor at the time. Due to the statute of limitations having passed, the baseball star cannot be charged.
The Phillies scrapped plans to induct Rose into their Wall of Fame in 2017 after the rape accusations surfaced. However, the team defended their decision to invite Rose to be part of Sunday’s ceremony.
“In planning the 1980 reunion, we consulted with Pete’s teammates about his inclusion,” the team reportedly said last month. “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.”
Another statement from the Phillies on the inclusion of Pete Rose in their upcoming celebration of the 1980 WS team: pic.twitter.com/jZ9S1RrsCr
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) July 24, 2022
The Phillies also said they were “not condoning, forgiving or forgetting Pete’s behavior” and had no plans to include him in the Wall of Fame.
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After the ceremony, Rose doubled down on dismissing questions related to the rape accusations.
“I’m going to tell you one more time. I’m here for the Philly fans. I’m here for my teammates,” Rose said, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’m here for the Phillies organization. And who cares what happened 50 years ago? 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.”
