Johnny Bench apologizes after antisemitic joke: 'I recognize my comment was insensitive'

Cincinnati Enquirer
·1 min read
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Reds Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench speaks as the Cincinnati Reds re-opened the Hall of Fame and Museum following an extensive $5.5 million renovation, Friday, March 29, 2019, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
Reds Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench speaks as the Cincinnati Reds re-opened the Hall of Fame and Museum following an extensive $5.5 million renovation, Friday, March 29, 2019, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
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Johnny Bench has issued an apology after the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame catcher made an antisemitic joke during the team’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday or former general manager Gabe Paul and former pitchers Danny Graves and Bronson Arroyo, as first reported by WCPO.

After Paul’s induction, Pete Rose said the former general manager signed him for $400 per month out of high school, to which Paul’s daughter Jennie responded “that’s cheap.”

Bench then said “He was Jewish,” in the WCPO video.

Jennie Paul said she hadn't heard the comments.

Johnny Bench: Gabe Paul's daughter responds to antisemitic joke at Reds Hall of Fame

On Sunday, Bench issued this statement:

“I recognize my comment was insensitive. 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.”

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Johnny Bench offers apology for Gabe Paul joke at Reds Hall of Fame