Pete Rose is receiving backlash for his return to Philly years after allegations of statutory rape.
In 2017, a woman came forward alleging that she had a sexual relationship with Rose when she was 14 or 15 years old back in the 1970s.
Via NY Times
A woman said she had a sexual relationship with the former baseball star Pete Rose in the 1970s, starting when she was 14 or 15 years old, according to testimony submitted to a court Monday.
The testimony was presented by the defense as part of a federal lawsuit Rose filed last year in Philadelphia against a lawyer whose investigation led to Rose’s being kicked out of Major League Baseball for gambling.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe in Monday’s filing, said that Rose called her in 1973, when she was 14 or 15, and that they began a sexual relationship in Cincinnati that lasted several years. She also alleges that Rose met her in locations outside Ohio for sex.
Rose would admit to the relationship but says she was 16 at the time, not 14 or 15.
Via NY Daily News
In papers, Rose acknowledged the relationship — but not the teen’s age.
“Based upon my information and belief at that time, she was 16 years of age,” said the leader of the famed Big Red Machine, which won the World Series in 1975 and 1976.
Rose, who was in his mid-30s and married with two kids at the time of the affair, also said the trysts were always in the greater Cincinnati region. The legal age of consent in Ohio is 16.
Rose’s lawyer Ray Genco said Doe’s claims were unverified.
On Sunday, the Phillies honored Rose and the 1980S Phillies team. After the ceremony, Philly Inquirer reporter Alex Coffey asked Rose if presence here sends a negative message to women. Rose responded by shooting down her question while calling her “babe.”
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
Rose’s response to Coffey didn’t sit well with fans.
I would be surprised by the answer, but why? He’s a lowlife. Good for Alex for asking him and making him uncomfortable. https://t.co/c22KIsWoDC
— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) August 7, 2022
I have no idea why the Phillies are choosing to die on the Pete Rose hill. All he's doing is alienating a sizable chunk of the fan base and tarnishing the org's reputation. https://t.co/EXwXeG5DD9
— Bill Baer (@Baer_Bill) August 7, 2022
Pete Rose the player should be in the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose the person remains a dumpster fire. https://t.co/2Kip7gVZqQ
— Teddy Ricketson (@TeddyRicketson) August 7, 2022
Admitted teenage sex predator Pete Rose calling a respected woman journalist “babe” in response to a question about women makes my blood boil.
The Phillies owe women an apology. https://t.co/LvueAMNx74
— Gabrielle (@gfstarr1) August 7, 2022
Pete rose choke on a hot dog challenge https://t.co/zEM45uWN9u
— Treb (@treblaw) August 7, 2022
reminder that Pete Rose is just pure human trash https://t.co/LCXugH6KZ7
— Bill (@Bill_TPA) August 7, 2022
