David Cone Calls Ichiro’s Bat A Chopstick During Broadcast
Via the Sun -
David Cone might have some explaining to do after a comment he made during Tuesday night’s broadcast of the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox game.
Cone referred to the bat used by Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki as a “chopstick” on the YES Network’s broadcast of the game. Ichiro is a native of Japan.
The remark caused an outcry from fans on social media.
Cone, 49, was a starting pitcher in MLB between 1986 and 2003. He played for the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Yankees and Red Sox. He’s won five World Series — one with the Jays in 1992 and four with the Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000.
Ichiro was a star in Japan before joining the Seattle Mariners in 2001, a team he played for until he was traded to the Yankees earlier this season.
It’s not as bad as a Howard Cosell/Alvin Garrett moment. But, Conie’s going to hear it on this one. If he gets bounced for this matter, who’s going to be responsible for explaining WAR to Michael Kay?
Shows how the times have changed. If you watch the clip on You Tube of the opening to the 1978 playoff game, Scooter says the Yanks should get to Mike Torrez early because he was “an excitable Latin type”. Imagine if that happened today with Twitter, blogs, etc.
@ 77yankees:
Those hot blooded Latins needed to be tamed somehow.
I suspect that Cone will read some YES crafted statement before the game today offering an apology and that will be that on this one. Ichiro is not going to want to push it.
And, if MLB wants to push it, then someone should ask them about the team in Cleveland. And, if someone in Washington wants to push it, then someone should ask them about their football team.
@ Steve L.:
HBO had a biography about Cosell probably about 10 years ago where they had clips of him calling white players, “little monkey”, but clearly, even if there was no malicious intent, he had to show better discretion there.
As soon as I heard Coney say that last night I knew it was going to blow up. Sometimes color commentary can be a bit off-color, but not really a huge deal in my opinion.
I knew Cone was going to catch heat for it, but I lol’ed when he said it.