Over the weekend, the Cincinnati Reds welcomed their Hall of Fame class back to Great American Ballpark to celebrate the 2023 inductees, which included former Reds general manager Gabe Paul. Unfortunately, however, some of that celebration was overshadowed by an antisemitic comment from legendary Reds catcher Johnny Bench.
During a press conference, Pete Rose recalled that Gabe Paul – who was Jewish – signed him to a contract for $400 a month when he got out of high school. This revelation prompted Paul’s daughter, Jennie, to quip “that cheap?” And Johnny Bench quickly added an antisemitic joke to the discussion.
“He was Jewish,” Bench exclaimed.
It was clear that he intended the comments as a joke, but he recognized that his comments were “insensitive” and took away from the celebration of Paul. For that, he apologized.
“I recognize my comment was insensitive,” the Hall of Fame catcher said according to ESPN. “I apologized to Jennie for taking away from her father the full attention he deserves. Gabe Paul earned his place in the Reds Hall of Fame, same as the others who stood on that stage, I am sorry that some of the focus is on my inappropriate remark instead of solely on Gabe’s achievement.”
Jennie Paul said that she didn’t even hear the comment, but said that she probably would have said something in response if she did.
