Johnny Bench apologizes for antisemitic comment made at Reds Hall of Fame ceremony

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench has apologized for making an offensive remark about the team’s former general manager.

Bench was at the Reds Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday night for former manager Gabe Paul and former pitchers Bronson Arroyo and Danny Graves.

After the Q&A with the new Hall of Famers, Pete Rose remarked that Paul signed him for $400 a month.

Paul’s daughter Jennie joked, “That’s cheap.”

Bench remarked from the other side of the stage, “Because he’s Jewish.”

The Hall of Fame Catcher said in a statement via the Reds:

The Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Cincinnati said he felt an apology is necessary.

“Everyone occasionally slips up with their words or makes a comment that they regret. More important than whether or not Johnny Bench made a joke that he shouldn’t have is whether or not Mr. Bench recognizes his mistake and apologizes. We hope he’ll take the high road, apologize, and allow all of us to put this behind us,” he said in a statement,” Rabbi Ari Jun said.

FOX19 is also efforting comments from Gabe Paul’s daughter.

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