Former SF Giants catcher Bob Brenly’s TV commentary accused of having ‘racist undertones’
Arizona's TV analyst and ex-Giant is under fire for his comments about Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman's headwear.
Arizona Diamondbacks television analyst Bob Brenly is under fire for comments he made Tuesday night about Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman’s headwear, which the pitcher felt had “racist undertones.”
Brenly, a former World Series-winning Arizona manager and an ex-All-Star catcher with the Giants, caused a stir when he made a crack during the game about the head covering Stroman wears under his hat.
Yikes, @BALLYSPORTSAZ @Dbacks pic.twitter.com/cfoCctaQyA
— The 7 Line (@The7Line) June 2, 2021
As a camera zoomed in on Stroman, Brenly referenced a former Mets Hall of Famer when he said, “Pretty sure that’s the same durag that Tom Seaver used to wear when he pitched for the Mets.”
Whether it was simply a poor attempt at a joke or something more, many on Twitter seized upon Brenly’s words. After the Mets’ 6-5 loss to Arizona, Stroman, an outspoken leader on race and social justice, re-tweeted some criticisms of Brenly’s comment. Stroman then tweeted, “Onward and upward….through all adversity and racist undertones. The climb continues through all!”
Onward and upward…through all adversity and racist undertones. The climb continues through all!
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 2, 2021
Stroman, who is Black, said on Twitter that the “media will turn this against me somehow,” should he criticize Brenly.
Since I can’t say it because media will turn this against me somehow…
https://t.co/pF0931PXDp
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 2, 2021
Brenly on Wednesday issued a statement apologizing for what he said and indicated he would undergo sensitivity training.
“During last night’s game, I made a poor attempt at humor that was insensitive and wrong. I apologize to Marcus Stroman and have reached out directly to share those thoughts,” the statement said. “I have had several conversations with the D-backs and we agree that seeking sensitivity training is an important step so I can continue to learn from my mistakes in order to be better in the future.”
Mets manager Luis Rojas was among those who have been vocal about Brenly’s comments Tuesday.
“Just very inappropriate,” Rojas told reporters Wednesday. “I was very disappointed when I heard it. If it was like a joke or something, I didn’t get it … and I don’t think a lot of people got it.”
It’s not the first time Brenly has raised eyebrows when commenting about a non-White player. Two years ago, Brenly said of the jewelry worn by Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr., “It might be easier to run the bases if he didn’t have that bike chain around his neck.”
Brenly, who managed the Diamondbacks to their only World Series title in 2001, spent eight of his nine big league seasons as a player with San Francisco.