A lawyer for former Cincinnati Reds player and manager Pete Rose clarified late Monday that Mr. Rose didn’t actually endorse GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump this week — and doesn’t plan on endorsing any candidate in the 2016 presidential race.
“Pete has made a point not to ’endorse’ any particular presidential candidate,” attorney Ray Genco said in a statement.
On Sunday evening, Mr. Trump had posted to social media a picture of a baseball that appeared to be autographed by Mr. Rose along with the message: “Mr. Trump — please make America great again,” a reference to Mr. Trump’s campaign slogan.
“Pete did not send any candidate a baseball or a note of endorsement,” Mr. Genco said.
“That said, through my discussions with Pete about this cycle, I’ve learned that he believes that who to vote for is a decision each voter should decide for him or herself,” Mr. Genco said.
“Pete knows and has impressed upon me that, above politics, it’s leadership and teamwork that make all the difference,” he said. “Both the left and right are baseball fans — and it is those institutions and their people that make America exceptional.”
SEE ALSO: John Kasich laughs off Pete Rose’s apparent support for Donald Trump
Asked about the matter Monday, Ohio Gov. John Kasich laughed it off but also said his wife has always wanted Mr. Rose to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mr. Rose, Major League Baseball’s all-time hits leader, received a lifetime ban from the game in 1989 for gambling on games.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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