Manager Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds...

Manager Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds has taken the offensive to counter what he says are erroneous reports that he gave his 1975 World Series ring to a convicted Massachusetts bookmaker.

A Boston newspaper reported Sunday that Rose had given his 1975 championship ring to bookmaker Joseph Cambra of Somerset, Mass., as payment for a gambling debt. But Rose has put his three Series championship rings--from 1975, 1976 and 1980--on display at the Kentucky National Bank’s downtown Cincinnati office “just to lay that rumor to rest.”

Rose said the 1975 ring that Cambra possesses is a replica that he authorized.