PHILADELPHIA — Pete Rose declined to answer questions about Sunday’s first appearance in Philadelphia since 2017 when the franchise cancelled plans to honor him due to a woman’s claim that she had a sexual relationship in baseball with the hit king.
Rose said to a female baseball writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer, “It was 55 Years ago, babe.”
Rose, 81 years old, declined to answer other questions in dugout, moments after a team picture in the outfield meant for celebrations. PhilliesFormer players and the 1980 World Series champ team. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the original 1980 anniversary celebrations were postponed by two seasons.
Rose made his first appearance in Philadelphia since August 1989 when he was issued a lifetime ban by Major League Baseball. Rose agreed to the ban following an investigation by John Dowd of MLB that found Rose had placed many bets on the outcome. Cincinnati Reds He won the championship from 1985 to 1987, while playing for and managing his team.
Rose’s contributions to the 1980 World Series champions, 1983 National League pennant winners, and 1980 World Series champs were to be honored by The Phillies in 2017.
Jane Doe was identified in 2017. She said Rose called her when she turned 14 or 15 years old, and that they started a relationship in Cincinnati that lasted many years. Rose allegedly met her at other locations in Ohio, she claimed.
Rose’s lawyer stated that Rose’s claims were unverified.
Rose acknowledged that he was in a relationship, but that it began when Rose was 16. Rose also stated that they had never had sex outside Ohio.
Rose was in her mid-thirties and had two children.
Rose was to be inducted into the Phillies Wall of Fame by the Phillies in an on-field ceremony. Rose was not to be inducted into the Wall of Fame at that ceremony. He was scheduled to be introduced before Sunday’s match along with his 1980 championship team teammates.
The Phillies defend their decision to invite Rose for the ceremony.
The Phillies released a statement saying that they had spoken to Pete’s teammates regarding Pete’s inclusion in the 1980 reunion. “Everyone wants Pete in the celebrations since there wouldn’t be a trophy in 1980 without his participation.” The Commissioner’s Office also granted permission for Pete to be invited to the championship team.
Rose was a 17-time All Star and he scored 826 of his 4,256 hits in his five years with the Phillies (1979 to 1983).
Rose asked MLB to lift his lifetime ban.