Pete Rose, the controversial baseball icon, was basically banned from the game for life after it was determined that he bet on matchups while on the field.
Pete Rose walked the field in Philadelphia for the first time in a long time, and he was swiftly criticized for how he handled questions regarding previous charges of statutory rape. Rose received a mixed reaction, including a standing ovation and several applause, as well as some boos.
The 1980 World Series celebration was intended to happen a few years ago, but preparations were canceled after a lady said she had sex with Pete when she was 14 or 15 years old in the 1970s.
Rose confessed they had intercourse while on the Reds, but said he thought she was 16, the legal age of consent in Ohio and that they never crossed state boundaries… thus, therefore, everything was fine from his perspective. That news derailed his planned wedding in 2017… but when it resumed on Sunday, a reporter confronted him about the charges again, and it didn’t go well.
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, there was an immediate pushback. Coffey went on to explain that Rose tried to apologize to her for the previous conversation… but it, too, was apparently mishandled. “Will you forgive me if I sign 1000 baseballs for you?” Pete allegedly said.
Coffey continues by stating that when he was once more questioned about the historical rape allegations, he allegedly responded, “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.”
He also said, “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.”
Rose has requested that MLB lift his lifetime ban but it seems after this, things are going to get harder for him.
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