A personal message sent from former baseball star Pete Rose is a hit with with Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner.
On a signed baseball the candidate apparently received from the all-time Major League Baseball leader in hits, a message written in sharpie reads “Mr. Trump please make America great again,” a recitation of Trump’s de facto campaign slogan.
Rose was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and spent much of his career as a player, then a manager, of the Cincinnati Reds. He broke baseball’s all-time record for hits while a team member.
Trump took the gift as an opportunity to pander to Ohio voters whose support he seeks in Tuesday’s primary.
“Thank you Pete! #VoteTrump on Tuesday Ohio! #Trump2016,” Trump tweeted.
Just received from @PeteRose_14.
Thank you Pete! #VoteTrump on
Tuesday Ohio! #Trump2016#MakeAmericaGreatAgain pic.twitter.com/UvP03n7dQq— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2016
Rose retired from playing baseball in the 1980s, and despite his stellar career, was banned from the MLB in 1989 for gambling on baseball games as a player and manager. He was also deemed ineligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, and has been fighting to gain entry ever since.
Trump, who in December tweeted that Rose has “paid the price” and deserves to be let in the Hall of Fame, reiterated his support of Rose on Sunday.
“We gotta let Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame,” Trump told the Cincinnati Enquirer.
