Baseball legend Pete Rose took aim at Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Shohei Ohtani this weekend, igniting controversy with his remarks at an autograph session amidst the unfolding Ippei Mizuhara betting scandal. Known for his unabashed style, Rose didn’t hold back in expressing his skepticism over Ohtani’s involvement.
During the event held by Fiterman Sports Group, attended by a throng of collectors, Rose, 83, penned autographs with provocative statements like “SORRY I BET ON BASEBALL” and “OHTANI IS SORRY ALSO.” The all-time hit leader, banned from Major League Baseball in 1989 for betting on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds, also quipped, “I WISH I HAD AN INTERPRETER,” referencing the support Ohtani receives from his interpreter.
Rose questions Ohtani’s innocence in this ordeal
Pete Rose being Pete Rose.
At signing today with @FitermanSports in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/JB7bu7PeMs
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 20, 2024
Despite federal investigators labeling Ohtani a victim in the scandal, Rose expressed disbelief in the player’s innocence. The betting debacle has cast a shadow over the MLB, which has temporarily halted its investigation pending the closure of Mizuhara’s criminal case. The league is biding its time before deciding whether to launch a further probe into Ohtani or any other individuals implicated.
Rose’s stance remains clear and controversial. Known for his forthright nature, the hit king’s recent comments have stirred the pot, placing him once again at the center of a heated discussion within the baseball community. Major League Baseball, meanwhile, maintains its pause on the investigation, leaving fans and players in a state of uncertainty about the potential ramifications of this high-profile scandal.
