Pete Rose dismisses questions over statutory rape claims in return to Philadelphia: 'It was 55 years ago, babe'

By Wayne Sterling, CNN

Updated 1157 GMT (1957 HKT) August 8, 2022

Former Philadelphia Phillies player Pete Rose during an alumni day event before a game between the Phillies and the Washington Nationals on August 7.

(CNN)Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader Pete Rose returned to the field in Philadelphia for the first time since receiving a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989.

On Sunday, the 81-year-old was a part of the celebration of the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies World Series championship team at Citizens Bank Park where he received a standing ovation.The Phillies planned on honoring Rose in 2017 but chose not to after a woman alleged that he had sex with her when she was less than 16 years old.Before the game, Rose was asked by Philadelphia Inquirer writer Alex Coffey about the 2017 sexual assault allegations and whether his presence at the ballpark sends a negative message to women. «No, I'm not here to talk about that,» Rose responded. «Sorry about that. It was 55 years ago, babe.»Read MoreAnother reporter asked Rose again about the 2017 story and how it may affect how fans and women view him when he was made available to the media. Rose said: «I'm going to tell you one more time. I'm here for the Philly fans. I'm here for my teammates, OK. I'm here for the Philly organization and who cares what happened 50 years ago. You weren't even born. So, you shouldn't be talking about it, because you weren't born. If you don't know a damn thing about it, don't talk about it.»Los Angeles Dodgers pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Vin Scully The alleged assault was part of a defamation lawsuit brought by Rose against the attorney who investigated him on behalf of Major League Baseball for betting on baseball in the