Pete Rose Phillies Ceremony Met with Criticism Amid Old Rape Claims

Pete Rose Phillies Ceremony Met with Criticism Amid Old Rape Claims

Pete Rose took the field in Philly for the first time in a long time — which was quickly met with criticism after how he responded to questions about old allegations of statutory rape.

The controversial baseball legend —  who’s been effectively banned from the game for life after it was discovered he gambled on matchups while playing — was trotted out Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, where the org was honoring the 1980 WS team … including himself.

He got a mixed bag response — a standing O and lots of cheers, but some boos too.

Pete Rose received a standing ovation at the #Phillies 1980 World Series celebration. pic.twitter.com/ZbiLPfV3mV

— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) August 7, 2022
@APgelston

Mind you, this was supposed to happen a few years ago — but plans were scrapped after a woman claimed she’d had sex with PR while she was just 14 or 15 in the 1970s.

Rose admitted they had sex while on the Reds, but said he thought she was 16 — the legal age of consent in Ohio — and insisted they never left state lines … so, presumably, it was all kosher, from his POV. That story torpedoed his would-be ceremony in 2017 … but on Sunday, when it resumed, a reporter asked him about those allegations anew, and it didn’t go well.

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
@byalexcoffey

Inquirer reporter Alex Coffey tweeted, “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.'”

Of course, that got backlash almost immediately. Coffey further expanded, later saying Rose attempted to apologize to her for the earlier interaction … but that, too, was seemingly botched. PR reportedly said to her, “Will you forgive me if I sign 1000 baseballs for you?”

When asked about our interaction earlier by @AP, Rose said: (1/2) “I’m going to tell you one more time. I’m here for the Philly fans. I’m here for my teammates. I’m here for the Phillies organization. And who cares what happened 50 years ago….”

— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) August 7, 2022
@byalexcoffey

Coffey goes on to say that when he was again asked about the old rape claims and questions about it, he reportedly said … “I’m going to tell you one more time. I’m here for the Philly fans. I’m here for my teammates. I’m here for the Phillies organization. And who cares what happened 50 years ago.”

One last gem from Rose … “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.”

Safe to say — the debate about whether Rose should be welcomed back to the league (and to Cooperstown for a HOF induction) will almost certainly rage on after this. Oof …

You can view the original article HERE.

Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Jason Kelce Autograph Seeker Goes Berserk On Ex-NFLer, ‘You P***y, F*** You!’
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Diddy Claims Prosecutors Showed Judge Edited Cassie Video to Make Him Look Dangerous
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and more step out in style to celebrate country music’s biggest night
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Kim Zolciak, Kroy Biermann Told by Cops to Stay Away From Each Other
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Billy Bob Thornton Thought ‘Bad Santa’ Would End His Career
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Black Harvest Film Festival 2024: Disco Afrika, It Was All a Dream, Dreams Like Paper Boats | Festivals & Awards
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
Dawsons Creek Had a Perfect Spin-Off, But No One Watched It
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
'Bad Sisters' Exclusive Clip – Wednesday November 20th Episode
Banks announces fifth album ‘Off With Her Head’ with impassioned new single ‘Best Friends’
Banks announces fifth album ‘Off With Her Head’ with impassioned new single ‘Best Friends’
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Jelly Roll on his battle with food addiction: “It’s like an avalanche”
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Here’s every song on the ‘Cruel Intentions’ TV series soundtrack
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
Zayn Reunites With One Direction at Liam Payne’s Painful Funeral
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Report: Raiders owner Davis agrees to sell 15% of team
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Fun and Frugal DIY Christmas Ornaments
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Draymond fires back at ‘janky’ Jenkins, Edey over foul
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
Skenes’ rookie award traps Pirates in uncomfortable situation
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Based on a True Story’ Season 2 Has a Matt Problem
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
‘Gladiator 2’ Director Explains Why the Twin Emperors Are “So F**King Crazy”
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale!
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
The Untold Story’ Trailer Unearths the Dark Crimes Behind the Scenes
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
Hearst Layoffs, Selena Gomez Covers Perfect Magazine, & More!
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
The Best Fashion and Grooming Men’s Gifts
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Miley Cyrus For Harper’s Bazaar, Louis Vuitton Taps Callum Turner, & More!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!
Meredith Marks Loves Caviar, Jewelry, & Being On Time!