Pete Rose on Trump: A signed baseball is not an endorsement
Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Sunday tweeted what appeared to be an endorsement from Pete Rose, the once legendary -- now blacklisted -- professional baseball player and manager.
"Mr. Trump," began a note that was scrawled on a baseball and posted to Trump's Twitter account. "Please make America great again" -- an apparently reference to Trump's infamous slogan.
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The ball seemed to be signed by Rose -- but on Monday lawyer Ray Genco disputed that his client had offered any endorsement.
Just received from @PeteRose_14.
Thank you Pete! #VoteTrump on
Tuesday Ohio! #Trump2016#MakeAmericaGreatAgainpic.twitter.com/UvP03n7dQq— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2016
"Pete has made a point not to 'endorse' any particular presidential candidate," Genco said in a statement to NBC News. "Though he respects everyone who works hard for our country -- any outlet that misinterpreted a signed baseball for an endorsement was wrong. Pete did not send any candidate a baseball or a note of endorsement."
Genco added that through his "discussions with Pete about this cycle, I've learned that he believes that who to vote for is a decision each voter should decide for him or herself."
Earlier Sunday, Trump announced that Rose should be allowed in Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame.
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