Diamondbacks announcer Bob Brenly mocks Marcus Stroman's du-rag during game
The next time Arizona Diamondbacks announcer and former MLB player Bob Brenly wants to make a "joke" about what a player is wearing on the field, he should probably keep his mouth shut.
During Tuesday night's game between the Diamondbacks and the New York Mets, Brenly made what he thought was a "joke" about Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman's choice to wear a du-rag.
“I’m sure that is the same du-rag that Tom Seaver used to wear when he pitched for the Mets,” Brenly said.
It was a total non-sequitur, and Brenly's partner in the booth, Steve Berthiaume, tried to shift the focus and move on as quickly as possible.
mannn... why? comes out of nowhere and gets smartly totally ignored by his partner. pic.twitter.com/q810Azt1WK
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) June 2, 2021
Brenly responded with an apology Wednesday afternoon, saying that he has reached out directly to Stroman and will be going through sensitivity training.
Statement from Diamondbacks broadcaster Bob Brenly: pic.twitter.com/oEdGQ2gVCQ
— Tyler Kepner (@TylerKepner) June 2, 2021
Dennis Young at the New York Daily News pointed out that this is not the first time Brenly has unnecessarily mocked a non-white player for what he chose to wear on the field.
Brenly, who managed in Arizona from 2001-04, has a record of totally unnecessary comments about non-white players. In 2019, he said that “it might be easier to run the bases if he didn’t have that bike chain around his neck,” about Fernando Tatis Jr.
Stroman responds to Brenly's remark
With several videos of Brenly's "joke" floating around Twitter, Stroman heard about it not long after the game ended (the Mets lost 6-5 in 10 innings). With his signature blend of class, maturity, and humor, he tweeted about the "racist" incident without once mentioning Brenly's name.
Du-rags coming soon. @HDMHApparel pic.twitter.com/piLCwYqZY1
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 2, 2021
Onward and upward...through all adversity and racist undertones. The climb continues through all! 🗣
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 2, 2021
Stroman also retweeted and quote tweeted numerous responses to Brenly's comment.
Got you for life. 🗣🙌🏾 https://t.co/6whPWZWVuP
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 2, 2021
Since I can’t say it because media will turn this against me somehow...🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/pF0931PXDp
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 2, 2021
This is racist and it is unacceptable. Stroman deserves an apology. A league and its teams, forever pledging commitment to increased inclusivity, need to demand better. https://t.co/P3oyBTXAjx
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) June 2, 2021
Using the immaculate legacy of Tom Seaver to insult @STR0 goes against everything a man who proclaims to love baseball as much as Bob Brenly does. But, white men don’t gotta prove they love baseball the way Black men do.
— Nubyjas Wilborn (@nwilborn19) June 2, 2021
@STR0 Racism is so stupid and it really needs to stop like you can’t say something like that and get away with it also thank you so so much for speaking out on these issues 🙏🙏
— LETS GO HAWKS 17-0 (@DaReal_Jew) June 2, 2021
@STR0 what those AZ announcers said was sick
sucks to see those kinds of attitudes still present among guys in those positions in the sports world.
Rooting for u all the way, even through a little bit of an iffy start today, #LGM— vii⚾️💫 (@vii703) June 2, 2021
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