MLB broadcaster under fire for 'insensitive' remark

3 years ago 271

A broadcaster for MLB Network has apologised for utilizing a word that referenced slavery portion on-air during a playoff crippled today.

Jim Kaat, an MLB Network expert and erstwhile large league pitcher of 25 seasons, says helium was trying to compliment Chicago White Sox 3rd baseman Yoan Moncada during today's playoff crippled betwixt the White Sox and the Houston Astros.

With Moncada up astatine the sheet successful the archetypal inning, Kaat's broadcast spouse and erstwhile manager Buck Showalter praised Moncada's quality and said successful jest, "Can we person 1 of those?" erstwhile referring to the archetypal clip Showalter saw Moncada play.

The 82-year-old Kaat responded with, "Get a 40-acre tract afloat of 'em."

Kaat apologised for the remark successful the 5th inning, calling his prime of words "poor" and an "insensitive and hurtful remark."

"Earlier successful the game, erstwhile Yoan Moncada was astatine the plate, successful an effort to compliment the large subordinate that helium is, I utilized a mediocre prime of words that resulted successful an insensitive and hurtful remark. And I'm atrocious for that," Kaat said.

It rapidly became a taxable of statement connected societal media, with galore users calling retired the comments utilized and questioning whether Kaat could instrumentality to the commentary box.

Kaat did not explicate his usage of the phrase. Some judge the "40-acre" word whitethorn beryllium from the 1865 connection to springiness freed slaves successful the US "40 acres and a mule" pursuing the Civil War.

Moncada, who is from Cuba, has played six seasons successful the league and finished the play hitting .263 with 14 location runs and 61 RBIs.

CNN has reached retired to MLB Network for comment.

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