Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell seems to have gotten himself into a bit of a spot. When confronted by a baseball fan in San Francisco, he reportedly hurled anti-gay slurs at him and also responded that kids donāt belong at a ballpark.
Now, I know there is more to this story than what is being reported to the press or what Gloria Allred, the lawyer representing the āabusedā fan, would have you believe, but if there is anything to this story, McDowell needs to shape up.
Iāve heard some people already draw analogies between McDowell and former MLB pitcher John Rocker who was also known for stating his ideas quite vociferously. The situations are quite different in my opinion. As much as I did not care for what Rocker said, it must be noted that he made his comments while in a private conversation with a sportswriter. McDowell, however, was on the field and was in all purposes representing the game of baseball and the organization of Major League Baseball. If (and again, itās a big if) McDowell is culpable for his actions, he has what is coming to him.
Mr. McDowell has āapologizedā if you want to call it that. My guess it was more damage control than anything.
From the NY Daily News:
"I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions," McDowell quickly responded in a statement.
It sounds more like heās saying he hadnāt said what he was thinking.
We donāt need to make a federal case out of this. Indeed, the fan in question, environmental researcher Justin Quinn, only really wanted an apology from McDowell. Iām sure the lawyers involved will talk him out of that.
But letās at least get that. A real one, I mean.