i knew this would come up, and I want to try hard to let it go, and not be a part of it, but....
calling Pete Rose a rapist isn't correct (legally).....while I don't condone his actions, nor feel that 50 or 50,000,000 years make them any less than what they are, we all know that forcibly assaulting someone regardless of age, is different than having sex (consensual) with another...yes, legally, anyone under 18 in USA is "jail bait", and for that, if true, Rose broke the law, though he was never charged nor convicted of any crime
and yes, legally, under 18 isn't legally able to "consent" to a sexual relationship, and I believe Rose's partner was in fact quite young when they were alleged to have had a physical relationship (14-15 ?).....and I agree, that is too young to legally consent....
do we draw the line (is there a line) between someone who doesnt' force another, and we've all known or seen teenage girls who knew exactly what they were doing (consenting), and another person that breaks into someone's home, or attacks them on the street, and commits a violent attack and violation ?.....the law certainly does, even if some of society doesnt
I don't believe Pete, nor any human, is perfect....and Pete committed more and more serious errors than an average person, probably even most people....but, if people who either hate him, or just wish to express their thoughts regarding his off field mistakes (i.e. crimes) wish to be factually correct, they shouldn't use exaggerated and non-factual hyperbole (rapist) doing so.....call him anything that fits the crimes he committed, but save the hyperbole for the National Enquirer (or modern day network news)
it's easy to sit in an armchair at home and pass judgement on famous people, thinking they somehow are emotionally different or stronger than average people and should be held to higher standards, but....
"let he who is without sin cast the first stone"
RIP Pete, you were flawed, you were wrong, but you played one hell of a game of baseball....there is no crime in society remembering all of those
https://www.defendyouthrights.org/wp-co ... isions.pdf