The sexually-suggestive, anti-gay ramblings of Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell resulted in a two-week suspension, an undisclosed fine and a public shaming the likes of which hasn’t been seen since John Rocker.
The suspension, announced by Major League Baseball on Sunday, comes as a second person stepped forward to confirm the account of what McDowell (top photo) did in his pre-game rants in San Francisco on April 23 and as LGBT groups criticized McDowell and the Braves, an organization that bristles when its public image comes under intense scrutiny.
“Major League Baseball is a social institution that brings people together and welcomes all individuals of different races, religions, genders, national orientations and sexual orientations into its ballparks,” MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said in a prepared statement.
“Conduct by people associated with MLB that shows insensitivity to other simply cannot and will not be tolerated. I understand that Mr. McDowell is very contrite about his conduct, and hopefully this incident will be used to increase public awareness of the importance of sensitivity to others,” Selig added.
The Braves followed with their own statement on Sunday, continuing its public flogging of McDowell that started on Wednesday after the incident came to light during a press conference with high-powered attorney Gloria Allred in San Francisco. A recreation of the sexually-suggestive gestures McDowell made to fans couldn’t have helped.
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And read additional coverage from the San Francisco Chronicle HERE.
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