Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Morris, shown July 29, 2018, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. File Photo by George Napolitano/UPI |
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Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Detroit Tigers television analyst Jack Morris was suspended indefinitely by Bally Sports Detroit after using an "insensitive" accent when Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani came to the plate in Tuesday's game.
"Bally Sports Detroit is extremely disappointed with the remarks analyst Jack Morris made during [Tuesday] night's Tigers game," the network said in a statement Wednesday. "Jack has been suspended indefinitely from Tigers broadcasts and will be undergoing bias training to educate him on the impact of his comments and how he can be a positive influence in a diverse community.
"We have a zero-tolerance policy for bias or discrimination and deeply apologize for his insensitive remark."
In a news release, the Tigers said they were "deeply disappointed" with Morris' comments during the broadcast.
"We fully support Bally Sports Detroit's decision and their ongoing commitment to ensure that all personnel are held to the highest standards of personal conduct," the club said.
During the sixth inning of Tuesday's game between the Tigers and Angels, Matt Shepard -- the network's play-by-play announcer on the telecast -- asked Morris what strategy should be used for pitchers facing Ohtani, a two-way superstar from Japan who leads MLB with 39 home runs this season.
"Be very, very careful," Morris replied, using an accent that many found offensive. Ohtani was then intentionally walked.
Later in the broadcast, Morris said before the ninth inning that he "did not intend for any offensive thing and I apologize if I did. I certainly respect and have the utmost respect for this guy and don't blame a pitcher for walking him."
The 66-year-old Morris, a five-time All-Star selection who pitched for 14 seasons with the Tigers, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018. The former MLB star is in his second regular stint on Tigers telecasts, having returned in 2019.
