MILWAUKEE — Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price apologized Tuesday for using profanity during a pregame meeting with reporters but said he stands by his message that media shouldn’t report developments he feels would put his team at a competitive disadvantage.
Price had a profanity-filled monologue before a 6-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night. The struggling Reds had just been swept in St. Louis, dropping them below .500.
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Through the team’s Twitter account Tuesday, Price apologized for his choice of words.
“In my pregame conversation with reporters (Monday), I used wholly inappropriate language to describe the media coverage of our team,” Price said. “While I stand by the content of my message, I am sorry for the choice of words.”
Price was particularly upset over a Cincinnati Enquirer report that catcher Devin Mesoraco wasn’t available to play during a game in St. Louis because of injury. The Reds confirmed Monday that Mesoraco is in Cincinnati getting tested for a sore hip.
Price also was upset that the Enquirer reporter had tweeted that catcher Tucker Barnhart was on his flight to St. Louis for the series Friday, an indication he was being called up from the minors.
“It’s nobody’s (expletive) business,” Price said.
The Enquirer counted 77 uses of a common vulgarity during Price’s five-minute, 34-second diatribe.
Price’s blowup was out of character. The second-year manager is known for being gracious and respectful with reporters and rarely swears in their presence.
