MLB legend Johnny Bench is sharing his regret after making an antisemitic comment about late Cincinnati Reds general manager Gabe Paul over the weekend ... admitting his words were "insensitive."
Several former Reds stars were in attendance to honor Paul's enshrinement in the franchise Hall of Fame on Saturday ... and at one point, Pete Rose made a comment about the Jewish executive's involvement in his first professional deal.
.@JohnnyBench_5 Disgusting comment. Why did you feel it was necessary to speak ill about the Jewish people. Why? pic.twitter.com/NeQM4vJlTJ
— Bryan E. Leib (@BryanLeibFL) July 16, 2023
"When I got out of high school in 1960, Gabe Paul signed me to a contract for 400 bucks a month," Rose said ... to which Paul's daughter, Jennie replied, "That cheap ... never mind."
That's when Bench made his controversial comment ... adding, "He was Jewish."
Most of the crowd laughed at Bench's jab ... but the 2-time World Series champ later apologized for the comment.
"I apologized to Jennie for taking away from her father the full attention he deserves," Bench said. "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."
Jennie addressed the bad joke after the fact ... telling The Athletic she might have said something to Bench had she heard it at the time.