Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench faced criticism following a comment made during the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, July 15, 2023. The event honored the late Gabe Paul, along with former players Pete Rose, Danny Graves, and Bronson Arroyo.
During a speech by Gabe Paul's daughter, Jennie Paul, where she mentioned her father's advocacy for minorities in baseball, a conversation arose about Paul's signing of Pete Rose. Rose recalled signing for $400 a month, to which Jennie Paul remarked, "That's cheap!" Bench then added a comment perceived by some as insensitive, connecting Paul's Jewish heritage to the contract amount.
The remark drew mixed reactions from those present, with some laughing while others remained silent. Jennie Paul stated she did not hear the comment at the time. Bench subsequently issued an apology on Sunday, acknowledging the insensitivity of his words and expressing regret for diverting attention from Gabe Paul's accomplishments. He emphasized Paul's deserved place in the Reds Hall of Fame.
Jennie Paul clarified that she was raised Episcopalian and that her father's parents were from modern-day Ukraine.
