The sad saga of Pete Rose’s fall from baseball immortality (or inability to reach it) continued Wednesday when the Phillies decided to cancel their plans to honor Rose with several ceremonies and events later this season.
After allegations surfaced that baseball’s all-time hit leader had a sexual relationship with a minor, it comes as no susprise that the Phillies wanted to distance themselves from the former first basemen who helped lead the team to its 1980 World Series title. The hit-king of course was banned from baseball and is not in the Hall of Fame due to allegations that he gambled on baseball as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
In a press release, the Phillies said “Due to recent events, the Phillies and Pete Rose have decided that Pete will not participate in the Phillies Alumni Weekend festivities to be held at Citizens Bank Park on August 10-13, 2017.
Rose said, “While I am truly honored that the Phillies fans voted for me to be this year’s Wall of Fame inductee, I am concerned that other matters will overshadow the goodwill associated with Alumni Weekend, and I agree with the decision not to participate.”
Rose was expected to be added to the Phillies Wall of Fame on August 12 prior to a game against the Mets, with a bobblehead giveaway scheduled for the day before. Fans are allowed to exchange their tickets for another game if they wish. The rest of the Wall of Fame ceremonies will continue as scheduled.
