Pete Rose took shot at Johnny Bench on Thursday during Brian Kilmeade Show: “Johnny Bench would never have made it to Hall of Fame ‘if I wasn’t born’ yet he does…”

Pete Rose Takes Aim at Johnny Bench Over Hall of Fame Dispute

In a candid and provocative interview on “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” baseball icon Pete Rose ignited controversy by responding sharply to his former teammate Johnny Bench’s longstanding opposition to Rose’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The feud, rooted in Rose’s ban from baseball for gambling on the sport in 1989, has simmered for decades, resurfacing once more as Rose defended his legacy and criticized Bench’s perspective.

Rose, known for his record-breaking career with the Cincinnati Reds, didn’t hold back in asserting his impact on Bench’s career. “Johnny Bench is one guy who should thank God I was born,” Rose remarked to Kilmeade, emphasizing that Bench owes much of his success to Rose’s on-field contributions. “Because I’m the guy he knocked in a thousand times,” Rose continued, highlighting his role in Bench’s achievements and implying a debt of gratitude from Bench.

The rift between the two baseball legends extends beyond professional differences. Rose reflected on Bench’s inability to match the adoration Rose enjoys in Cincinnati, suggesting Bench couldn’t comprehend why he wasn’t as beloved as Rose among the city’s fans. Despite their contentious history, Rose acknowledged that he now gets along with Bench and downplayed any personal animosity, indicating willingness to reconcile if the opportunity arose.

Conversely, Johnny Bench, renowned as one of the greatest catchers in MLB history, has steadfastly opposed Rose’s Hall of Fame eligibility, citing the tarnishing impact of Rose’s gambling scandal on the sport’s integrity. Bench’s position has remained unwavering despite Rose’s efforts to repair his public image and campaign for induction into the Hall of Fame.

Rose, undeterred by Bench’s stance, reiterated his admiration for Bench’s talent and legacy as a catcher, proclaiming him “the greatest catcher of all time.” Rose suggested that Bench’s loyalty to Cincinnati and its baseball traditions should logically lead him to support Rose’s Hall of Fame bid, despite their differences.

The controversy surrounding Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame status persists amidst evolving attitudes towards gambling in sports. Despite the legalization of sports betting and shifting perceptions, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has maintained a firm stance against Rose’s reinstatement into the Hall of Fame, underscoring the enduring impact of Rose’s transgressions on baseball’s integrity.

As Pete Rose and Johnny Bench continue to navigate their complex relationship, their divergent views on Rose’s baseball legacy underscore broader debates within the sport regarding forgiveness, redemption, and the enduring consequences of ethical lapses. Whether Rose will ever see his achievements immortalized in Cooperstown remains uncertain, as his legacy continues to be debated among fans, players, and baseball officials alike.