In a new post on social media, disgraced MLB legend Pete Rose weighed in on the ongoing Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal, and his thoughts were hilariously perfect.
There is no bigger story in baseball right now than the murky situation surrounding two-time American League MVP Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar fired his long-time interpreter last week after claiming he stole millions from him to pay off money he owed an illegal bookmaker.
However, as the story has played out it has led many to believe the Japanese baseball star is not the hapless victim he and the team are trying to build a narrative around. Unsurprisingly, the situation has drawn comparisons to the 1989 scandal that saw Cincinnati Reds icon Pete Rose permanently banned from the game.
- Pete Rose stats (Career): .303 AVG, .375 SLG, .409 OBP, 160 HR, 1,314 RBI, 2,165 R, 198 SB
Rose was handed a lifetime suspension from MLB after allegations that he bet on games he was a part of while managing the Philadelphia Phillies. There are also rumors he may have bet on games during his playing career as well. He has denied the claims for decades and it has meant the all-time MLB hits leader is not in the sport’s Hall-of-Fame.
MLB was heavy-handed with Pete Rose’s punishment for understandable reasons since it brings into question the legitimacy of the sport. However, when it comes to Ohtani they have been far more careful and at this point, he is not expected to be suspended while the league investigates the story.
Pete Rose responds to Shohei Ohtani scandal by claiming he wishes he had an interpreter in his day
Many have wondered what Rose thinks about the scandal and he finally revealed his thoughts in the most perfect way. In a video post on social media this week, the 82-year-old took a hilarious shot at the Shohei Ohtani scandal by saying, “Well, back in the 70s and 80s I wish I had an interpreter. I’d be scott-free.”
- Pete Rose net worth: $3 million
Related: Wild new details emerge on Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara in gambling scandal
It is a perfect approach to where the MLB legend doesn’t come across as bitter and puts a funny spotlight on the double standard the league is showing for Ohtani compared to other players who have broken major MLB policies. Many around the sport feel the pitcher’s interpreter is being used as the scapegoat for his own gambling that would break one game’s greatest codes of conduct.