In a lawsuit filed in 2017, Rose was charged with having a sexual relationship with a girl who was underage in the 1970s.
The 1980 World Champion first baseman shared several thoughts regarding the city’s baseball supporters, including what he told Bryce Harper, the current NL MVP, before to Harper’s 2019 trade from the Nationals to the Phillies.
“I believe I spoke with Bryce Harper prior to his trip to Philadelphia,” Rose said. “I told him, ‘Bryce, bust your ass every day and they will never even consider heckling you.'” No matter how many times you fail, I don’t care. They will adore you if you show them your chops. You possess the talent. And he’s talented; he’s demonstrated it, right?
Rose, 81, joined the Takeoff with John Clark podcast this week to discuss his return to Philadelphia, his legacy, the city, and a plethora of other topics from his extensive past. Rose is currently prohibited from Major League Baseball due to his history of wagering on games while he was a player and manager.
“You can’t be insulted [by jeers] from Philadelphia fans if you struck out in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and the bases loaded. Their goals are to win the game and get a hit. They would prefer that you fail. If you err or strike out, are you expected to offer them a standing ovation? Alright, accept the repercussions for your actions. Assume that they are cheering you on because you have hit a game-winning play, made a game-winning save, or prevented a bad play. It’s those things that bring fans joy. Fans from Philadelphia attend the games to see anything else than the Phillies play; they come to see the Phillies win
After rounding into shape, he concluded the season with a career-high tally of RBIs but a mediocre OPS. Since then, he has been playing at an MVP caliber for the more than 250 games he has worn a Phillies uniform.
Try hard, help the team win, and we’ll adore you forever is actually not a complicated concept, yet for some reason, certain players don’t seem to get the city’s mentality.
Rose believes that this is the perfect way to be a sports fan, which is commendable.
“I’ve always loved the Philadelphia fans,” Rose stated. “They have a poor reputation because, in my opinion, Philadelphia fans are motivated by two things: winning and getting their ass kicked. Every baseball stadium’s patron should have the same goals in mind. The Philadelphia supporters want that. When I was preparing to travel there, I was aware of it, and when I arrived, I learned for sure.
In addition,
“Philly fans are fantastic supporters. They are enthusiastic and knowledgable, which is probably why I fell in love with them—they shared my values and stood for the same things I have my entire career.”
Rose, along with colleagues from the 1980 World Series club, will be honored when the Phillies visit the Nationals on August 7.
