LOS ANGELES — Roger McDowell issued an apology Wednesday in response to a fan’s complaint that the Atlanta pitching coach made homophobic comments and crude sexual gestures and threatened to knock out his teeth with a bat before the Braves played the Giants over the weekend.
“I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions,” McDowell said in a statement.
Justin Quinn, 33, said he was in the stands at AT&T Park in San Francisco during pregame batting practice with his wife and 9-year-old twin daughters when he noticed McDowell hectoring three men and making crude sexual gestures with his hips and a bat. Quinn, who was down in front of the field, then shouted, “Hey there are kids out here,” he said during a news conference at the office of noted attorney Gloria Allred.
Quinn alleged the coach replied that kids don’t belong at a baseball park, picked up a bat, walked up to Quinn and asked him, “How much are your teeth worth?”
Allred sent a letter to commissioner Bud Selig requesting he launch an investigation and take “appropriate disciplinary action.” She also demanded McDowell take sensitivity training.
Footnotes.
Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (oblique) did some hitting and then left the team to start a rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Montgomery. He could rejoin the Rays on Tuesday.
• Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt left the team for Mississippi, where tornadoes have caused deaths and widespread damage near his home. No timetable has been set for his return.
• Twins outfielder Delmon Young (rib) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, while outfielder Jason Repko (quadriceps) and designated hitter Jim Thome (oblique) are day to day.
• The Rangers placed reliever Darren O’Day on the 60-day disabled list with a partially torn labrum in his left hip that will require surgery. The Associated Press
