Pete Rose dismissed questions about his first appearance on the field in Philadelphia since the team scrapped plans to honor him because of a woman's allegation that she had sex with him when she was a minor.
Rose told a female baseball writer that it was 55 years ago.
After a photo of the 1980 World Series champion team was taken in the outfield, Rose refused to answer any questions in the dugout. The 1980 anniversary celebration was delayed due to the coronaviruses.
Rose played in Philadelphia for the first time since he was banned from baseball in 1989. Rose agreed to the ban after an investigation found that he placed bets on the Cincinnati Reds to win from 1985 to 1987 while he was a player and manager.
Rose's contributions to the 1980 World Series champion and 1983 National League pennant winner were planned to be honored by the Philadelphians.
The woman said that she and Rose had sex in Cincinnati for several years when she was a teenager. Rose was accused of meeting her outside of Ohio for sex.
The woman's claims are believed to be true.
Rose said that he had a relationship with the woman when she was 16 years old. They didn't have sex outside of Ohio.
Rose had two children with his wife and was in his 30s.
Rose was going to be inducted into the Wall of Fame by the Phils. There weren't any other plans to celebrate Rose until this season. He was going to be introduced on the field before the game with his former teammates.
The decision to invite Rose was defended by the team last month.
The team consulted with Pete's teammates about his inclusion in the reunion. Without Pete, there wouldn't be a trophy in 1980. Pete was invited to join the championship team by the Commissioner's Office.
Rose has been banned from baseball for life.
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