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627 comments Add your comment
Uggla's Uglies
April 28th, 2011
2:13 pm
Stinky pete, the pitching coach says the word ‘gay’ and you can’t be a fan of the team anymore? If I were that sensitive about my religious convictions (I am a Christian), I wouldn’t be able to be a fan of any team with all the language that is used. Now, if the entire team chanted/yelled/sang about how much they hated gay people… then I think you would be right in “disowning” your fandom of the Braves. Don’t base it on one word that our pitching coach said.
The Good Doctor
April 28th, 2011
2:14 pm
American- I think a better tag for you would be “Poor Excuse for an American”
Steve
April 28th, 2011
2:14 pm
Two words tell the entire story here, or at least MOST of it: Gloria Allred. In my opinion, very little else needs to be said.
JT
April 28th, 2011
2:16 pm
i’ve gotten opposing players to say much worse when sitting down in the SunTrust Club seats. I don’t call my lawyer, I laugh then move on to heckling the next guy.
The Good Doctor
April 28th, 2011
2:16 pm
No, Larvell, it was explicit. It was a clear and direct theat.
Old Jaxs Braves Fan
April 28th, 2011
2:17 pm
Um, do the Braves still have Leo’s telephone number: 678-REHIRE-ME?
JT
April 28th, 2011
2:19 pm
Old Jaxs,
Leo can barely sober up for his 6am radio show, he doesn’t need to be on a baseball field.
Buford
April 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
stinky pete – open minded like banning a happy meal?
Jeff
April 28th, 2011
2:20 pm
To Ben at 12:54 — you said “No it wasn’t appropriate for those gentlemen to simulate a sex act with a bat around anyone, let alone two girls, but no one expects, tacitly or otherwise,those two to mentor on behalf of an organization.”
Your sentence should have stopped with “No it wasn’t appropriate for those gentleman to simulate a sex act with a bat around anyone.” PERIOD. End of story. THOSE are the guys responsible for this huge mess. And I’m ashamed that some decent, moral San Francisco fan didn’t stand up in front of those guys, get in their face and say “Listen you jagoffs, this is not a frat party or a porn convention for a bedroom. For God’s sake, there are children around. Take your drunken, perverted butts out of this stadium before I call security to throw your ases out. Now sit down and shut up and act like a decent human being for cryin’ out loud.”
If somebody had the NUTS to do THAT, Ben — meaning that if somebody in the public had the nads to stand up for a STANDARD OF DECENT AND ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR, then messes like this could be averted.
Don’t stand behind the “Well, stuff goes on all the time, there’s nothing you can do about it” argument. WRONG. There ARE things you can do — it just takes guts, courage, and the willingness to be ridiculed for not being PC.
Stand up for your values, people. If everyone did that, we’d see where we all stand, and I think we’d be surprised as to how many people actually DO believe in upstanding, decent, moral behavior. But very few people have the courage to stand AGAINST those who practice immature, unacceptable, perverse behavior, both in language and deeds.
The Judge
April 28th, 2011
2:32 pm
This guy in the stands has an attorney? Are we just waiting in the bushes to get rid of folks nowadays? He did not commit murder people. I would think many of us have said things we are not proud of.
Buford
April 28th, 2011
2:33 pm
stinky pete – you surely are a loon, no? How can you be sure of anything other than your granny feeding you?
egr
April 28th, 2011
2:33 pm
he said more than one word
Ball's-N-All
April 28th, 2011
2:35 pm
You PPL don’t get it,this is not about the gay slur..i could care less about that..A coaches job is too keep his players from doin crapp like this, not the coach..!this is about a threating comment,if true an the cursing and obscene gestures he made in front of this mans family an KIDS..hes A** should be fired end of story if this proven that he did so…
Please hire Tom Glavin as our new P C ……
Ron H.
April 28th, 2011
2:36 pm
Let’s get the full story first…
Who knows what the fans did to warrant the alleged behavior. In the past, fans have thrown items at players/coaches or been really out of line.
I like McD, but if he threatened a fan, then there’s no room for that on a team of this caliber.
I do think that the Gloria A. stunt is a money grab…
BravesFan
April 28th, 2011
2:40 pm
I have to wonder about anyone who picks Gloria Allred as a lawyer.
Brian Asselstine
April 28th, 2011
2:40 pm
I think Roger should be able to act any way he pleases. And if that means hurling insults and knocking out some Dads teeth with a Louisville Slugger more power to him.
Free Roger!!!
SA
April 28th, 2011
2:41 pm
@ Jeff, others: For the record, it was McDowell, not heckling fans, who allegedly made the sexual gestures. The AJC article was misleading because it was ambiguously worded, but here is the AP article.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-bravescoach-fan
Bernie Brevick
April 28th, 2011
2:41 pm
Roger always walks around with a bat during batting practice. I see almost every game and he can be seen talking to fans, giving autographs no matter what the team colors the fans are wearing. Amazing how a fan in San Francisco has a news conference in LA. 15 minutes of fame.
Ron
April 28th, 2011
2:43 pm
you must be retarded if you think Roger has done nothing as a pitching coach…
umm does Derek Lowe ring a bell??
firing him would be stupid
Furman Bitcher
April 28th, 2011
2:44 pm
What he said wasn’t homophobic. He was just asking an honest question. The dad got big balls and tried to act tough knowing McDowell couldnt do anything. The fact that he contacted ESPN with a “big” MLB story and hired Gloria Alred has BS written all over it.
john
April 28th, 2011
2:45 pm
why did that jackass fan start things if he was with his kids in the first place? is he not man enough at home that he has to prove he has balls??
shaun
April 28th, 2011
2:46 pm
WOW the guy who sued him should grow some friggin cojones and just go on about his life, and the whole I’m an innocent fan who just wants to enjoy his family is a pile of B.S why would Roger act that way if he wasn’t provoked or attacked first? S.F. can go **** themselves
shaun
April 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
god damn hippies
Furman Bitcher
April 28th, 2011
2:47 pm
The dad started something he couldnt finish and looked like a fool. Next step, call Gloria Alred.
Furman Bitcher
April 28th, 2011
2:48 pm
Where are the heckler that McDowell originally sparred with? I dont hear them speaking up! total BS story.
Furman Bitcher
April 28th, 2011
2:49 pm
Give him a raise
Carroll Rogers
April 28th, 2011
2:49 pm
Minor league transactions from Baseball America
Atlanta Braves
Signed: LHP Ben Swaggerty
Voluntarily retired: OF Juan Flores
Recalled: RHP Cory Gearrin
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Matt Young
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Michael Broadway, RHP Kenshin Kawakami, RHP Cory Rasmus, C Cory Brownsten
Transferred to 60-day DL: RHP Angelo Paulino
Reinstated from DL: C Shawn McGill
Will
April 28th, 2011
2:50 pm
I think that it is time that fans as well as the coaches and players are held accountable for their actions and words. It is time that pro sports stops requiring the coaches and players to be held to a higher level than they do the fans. Oh I know the fans pay to get in but that is no reason to allow their rudeness or vulgarity. Throw the bums out and ban them from future sports activities for a period of time (i.e. like a suspension). If it is good enough for those who are playing the game then it is good enough for those who see the game.
Furman Bitcher
April 28th, 2011
2:51 pm
Wow Carroll real baseball news!! I almost forgot about a Baseball world outside of this craziness! THANK YOU!!!
Brian Asselstine
April 28th, 2011
2:52 pm
If the rest of the coaching staff had the same fire and grit as Roger maybe this team would be in first place.
I think the players should take note too. No more autographs for sniffling little kids. No more smiling pictures with Granny from Austell. Instead beatdowns and stinging insults for everyone is in order. The Braves could become the Ric Flair of major league beaseball!
Whooo!!!
WTF
April 28th, 2011
2:54 pm
This political correctness has gone WAY TO FAR. Get over it.
Beaver Cleaver
April 28th, 2011
2:56 pm
While I don’t condone McDowell’s behavior, this bozo hired Gloria Alred not because he was upset and wanted a public apology, but because he wanted to see himself on TV. Gloria Alred?!? Really?!? What a loser!
bravesgrl4life
April 28th, 2011
2:59 pm
There are witnesses to say Quinn started his dialogue with Roger. Frankly, if the original 3 hecklers didn’t take offense (and probably laughed it off), the whole “gay slur” thing should go away. Second, if Quinn’s kids wanted to know what those gestures meant, he should be man enough to tell them it was none of their business or explain in an appropriate manner.
San Francisco is one of my favorite cities – have been 5 or 6 times and even spent part of my honeymoon in San Fran. But in the last few years, the attitude of people out there is really disturbing.
Jimmy G
April 28th, 2011
2:59 pm
Is MdDowell a grown man acting like a 16 year old kid or just a moron? Or both? Kid’s don’t belong at the ballpark???? This Quinn might be playing this for the wrong reason but a real man (McDowell) would have let it go. A representative of the Braves organization heckling back at the hecklers? Are you kidding me? If the Braves are a class act like they say they are , McDowell should soon be the former Braves pitching coach.
demsuxs
April 28th, 2011
3:04 pm
WHAT IS IT WITH THE FANS IN CALI? IF WE ARE GOING TO FIRE ROGER, THEN THOSE FANS SHOULD GET BAND FROM GOING TO GAME AT THAT PARK.
Brian Asselstine
April 28th, 2011
3:04 pm
Can’t wait to see what Roger has in store for those obnoxious Philly fans. A fungo to the temple I hope. Maybe he could take a dump on that Rocky statue while he’s up there too.
Braves Bravo 2
April 28th, 2011
3:05 pm
What happened to due process? Let the league and Braves investigate. These are allegations, and if true then McDowell should be punished for his actions. I think its poor judgement on McDowell part to get suckered into a confrontation with fans because fans heckle all the time and its part of the game. To say kids are not to be at a game is illogical and stupid. Even if gays were at the game, they are supporting McDowell’s and MLB salaries and their sexuality has nothing to do with baseball or is McDowell’s business.
Phil
April 28th, 2011
3:08 pm
This was about as childish as Grantham giving the choke sign to the Florida players. What did Richt do? Nothing. The Braves will probably do the same thing, nothing. At some point coaches have to be held to a higher standard. Grantham should have been fired, McDowell needs to be fired. You don’t get 2nd or 3rd chances when you’re in the positions they are in. Totally classless.
Bobby's chauffer
April 28th, 2011
3:08 pm
I like Roger…But dumb dumb dumb…… for lack of brain cells. He will lose his job.. too bad. I hate it.. but someone that gets his money from those of us that come to the game..what was he thinking.. I say for poor…poor… judgement he will be released.
BILLMAIER
April 28th, 2011
3:10 pm
Glad to see all the great fans– commenting on this story and hardly any on the blog about the braves win last night i dont have enough information on what was said or wasnt said–one person has come forward- to make acuusationsi wasnt there.— the braves have a more important decison to make- what pitcher to send down and what hitter to bring up–and we have a pennant to win– let the truth come out on this and the chips fall where they will– and lets be more concerned of who we bring up and sent down– when both marek and gomez are performing at an exceptional level.
ColsOHbrave
April 28th, 2011
3:18 pm
Not sure which is more offensive…….Roger’s response to the fans or the hiring of a celebrity lawyer to profit off the situation.
UGASlobberknocker
April 28th, 2011
3:19 pm
Is Mike Maddux still a pitching coach somewhere this yr? I wish we could get him once they cut loose Roger McDowell
Rufio
April 28th, 2011
3:25 pm
This is exactly why pro athletes should not be viewed as heroes! Just because you can pitch, catch or hit a ball does not mean your a good human being. In real life these so called heroes are really just jerks. I have met a handful of athletes in my lifetime and all of them were jerks with the exception of Dale Murphy (surprise, surprise). We (Society) treats them like God’s and they are just human. Many of them uneducated because they did not get schooling because they were playing a game.
Roger……you are fixing to learn a lesson the hardway. For the family in SF get over it…….Teach your kids that athletes in real life are normally jerks. Oh, and your an idiot for hiring Gloria Alred!
Terry McGuirk
April 28th, 2011
3:29 pm
After reviewing all of the evidence carefully, the Braves organization has come to the conclusion that Roger (McDowell) acted appropriately in the incident that occured earlier this week at AT&T Park. As an organization and a family, we never condone the use of slurs targeted at any group, whether they be based on racial, ethnic, religious or other affiliation, including lifestyle choice.
However, after a thorough discussion, Braves management, including the Liberty Media Group, have come to realize that insults and threats directed exclusively at Mr. Quinn were logical, appropriate and proportionate to what he deserved under the circumstances. It is our sincere hope that Mr. Quinn will seek professional help and that he and his family will avoid baseball parks of any kind in the future.
In the last 48 hours, my staff and I have spent countless hours reviewing video of the press conference with Ms. Alred and examining the press photos, as well as Mr. Quinn’s Facebook profile.
Based on Mr. Quinn’s dubious employment status, Mrs. Quinn’s repulsive appearance and the twins’ obvious lack of good judgment in choosing their parents, we have come to the conclusion that Roger did owe an apology to everyone involved in the incident – other than the Quinn family – and we believe his previous apology was sincere. And we hope this resolves the matter.
Thank you.
Larvell Blanks
April 28th, 2011
3:34 pm
The Good Doctor 2:16 – “No, Larvell, it was explicit. It was a clear and direct theat.”
As Inigo Montoya says, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
BayAreaBravesFan
April 28th, 2011
3:45 pm
This is he said/he said – nobody is getting fired unless audio or video can substantiate this guys claim. I was at all 3 games in SF last weekend right behind Braves dugout and for whatever reason the fans here in SF are really nasty to the braves players/coaches much the same way they are to the Dodgers. I don’t understand it at all. People need to grow thicker skin for the ball park – all parties included. My opinion – this guy is looking for a payday.
zgoldatl
April 28th, 2011
3:47 pm
I support coach McDowell, and anybody who tells some snotty, liberal trash San Francisco fan exactly what he deserves to hear. That city is a disgrace to the greatest country on earth. San Francisco? What a joke. Those parents need to know that they are at a sporting event, and teach their kids what’s right or wrong. Also wtf is Gloria Allred doing with this. She almost makes me as sick as that sea hag Nancy pelosi. I’m sick of all this political correctness that everyone seems to demand these days. What happened to if someone heckles you, you can stick up for yourself? Kudos to you coach McDowell and anyone else who says what they think, and sticks up for themselves.
Another Punk Fan
April 28th, 2011
3:49 pm
I seldom attend professional sporting events because of the crass and obscene behavior of
many fans, College fans are getting just as bad. In my mind, more than a few fans need their
teeth knocked out.
Like it or not, that is my story and I am sticking to it. And for all of you that want to defend the
obnoxious fans, why don’t you all get one big section so you can taunt and cuss in your own section.
dakotachuck
April 28th, 2011
3:51 pm
According to reports the incident took place during pregame batting practice along the left field fence. Apparently three fans were giving McDowell the business when he responded with some vulgarities. As most parents would do, another fan complained to McDowell about his choice of language in front of his kids who were there to hopefully retrieve a ball hit over the fence.
A complaint to the Giants front office and a request for a follow up ought to have sufficed, bringing in an attorney was over kill.
That McDowell failed to give a wave and a “sorry about that” to dad and his kids is disheartening, imagine if he had tossed them a couple of balls. A simple gesture would have changed all this.
When Tommy Lasorda was tossed out of games at Candlestick he had to walk down the right field line to reach the Visitors clubhouse. All the way he would blow kisses and wave to the jeering fans. And they loved him for it.
zgoldatl
April 28th, 2011
3:51 pm
Hahaha well said Terry
Lewis Holt
April 28th, 2011
3:54 pm
I guess Redneck Topics Forums’ site was down today:
#1. If Roger felt the fans were too rough on him, he can call security.
#2. The fans pay Rogers salary.
#3. I agree with the Birther; nothing good has come out of California( Reagan)
#4. “kids don’t belong at the ball park”. really?
#5. There are probably about a 100 witnesses; guess what the home fans will say.
#6. Roger; you are toast……………………….
Kenny Powers
April 28th, 2011
3:55 pm
what’s the big deal? this is not serious
NickB
April 28th, 2011
3:58 pm
Notice how “open minded” people are only open minded to things they agree with? Fine him , sit him for a week and move on to more important things. If as a fan you are willing to stop rooting for the Braves because of a non-issue like this then your skin is too thin to make your opinion have aby merit at all. Thought policing ,whiny, self important weenies are trying to turn us into a nation of wussies……. Go have a mocha latte and STFU.
Nacho Daddy
April 28th, 2011
4:00 pm
…not a big deal? so nxt time I go to a game, it’s OK to be threatened by the coach or a player. and i pay to get in… really ?
Aceman
April 28th, 2011
4:01 pm
i think you guys missed the part where it says “alleged” “accused” dont write his name on the grave yet…
BravesfaninAugusta
April 28th, 2011
4:04 pm
Wow there must be some truth to this sine Roger apologized…. stupid move and makes the whole organization look bad…. cut ties and move on
braves29
April 28th, 2011
4:07 pm
I first would like to say that Roger is a good pitching coach (from what I see from stats and when I watch a game.) I hope he didn’t say the stuff hes excused of but even if he did say it some of it I still think its a publicity stunt. It seems like the whole truth hasn’t been told yet but I hope punishment is not met into everyone involved has there say.
Kenny Powers
April 28th, 2011
4:10 pm
you’re f’n out
Robin Of The Hood
April 28th, 2011
4:12 pm
to all of you saying well I wonder what made Rodger respond that why and never getting both sides of the story….WHO CARES! His job is to uphold the logo of the MLB and he didnt. Unacceptable.
Brave New World
April 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
Before this goes any further, I want to see Gloria Allred’s birth certificate, and it better be the long version!
Brave New World
April 28th, 2011
4:15 pm
Conspiracy Theory: Mel Gibson wearing a Braves cap poses as Roger McDowell and sets unruly Giants fans straight last Saturday.
Poppy
April 28th, 2011
4:15 pm
About 30 years ago at a Braves game we were surrounded by drunks with very filthy mouths. I had my two daughters with me and my wife. These guys were very obnoxious and unruly. When I asked them to please clean it up a little, they threatened to do bodily harm to all of us. I swore to never attend another game, and have not been back. Security was no help either.
Lou Vales
April 28th, 2011
4:16 pm
The only way to respond to this is to FIRST consider how you would have reacted if reading about A Mets pitching coach doing this at Turner Field?If you would feel the same way then yourcomments either way are valid.
No need to call in a lawyer, and Roger apologized and lastly I will say IF you are over the age of 25 and can’t verbally outman a Major League Baseball player, you need some remedial schooling. I wonder every once in awhile who the gay Major League players currently are who must listen to this stuff in quiet anger.
Brave New World
April 28th, 2011
4:17 pm
Guess these allegations all but eliminate Roger from an invitation to the royal wedding.
Aceman
April 28th, 2011
4:18 pm
theres no gay baseball players… unless you spot someone playing with the balls a little too much, lol.
Brave New World
April 28th, 2011
4:18 pm
Poppy April 28th, 2011 4:15 pm
About 30 years ago at a Braves game we were surrounded by drunks with very filthy mouths. I had my two daughters with me and my wife. These guys were very obnoxious and unruly. When I asked them to please clean it up a little, they threatened to do bodily harm to all of us. I swore to never attend another game, and have not been back. Security was no help either.
Poppy: That was Jerry’s revenge for you peeing on his couch.
Lou Vales
April 28th, 2011
4:21 pm
Nick B, You are correct in not stopping support for Braves as a result of this.You would only stop supporting them if you believed this attitude permeated the players wearing a Braves’ uniform.i don’t think it does.
I have a saying that I can’t root for the name on the front of the unifrorm IF I would not want the name on the back inside my house.Except for Rocker i have never felt that way about a baseball player.It almost became impossible to root for the Dolphins when Brian Cox played for them.
Lou Vales
April 28th, 2011
4:23 pm
Aceman, actually from watching Marlin games I would venture opinion that particular habit is indicative of heterosexual preference.
Nacho Daddy
April 28th, 2011
4:23 pm
Roger, you know you will be heckled at every ball park from now on… you should have just puked on the little girls.
Braves continue to investigate McDowell allegations - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, transgendered people coming out
April 28th, 2011
4:26 pm
[...] continue to investigate McDowell allegations http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-…l-allegations/ [...]
Lou Vales
April 28th, 2011
4:27 pm
This is a real “Golden Rule”moment and gets to your true feelings. IF you were the father in this situation what would your reaction have been and how would you feel about Roger McDowell? I hope I would have told him to just walk away and avoid farther problem. The only way i would have become angry is if he would have turned it on me or a family member–and I’m sure all you guys feel the same even if you are a 46 year Braves fan.
zincc
April 28th, 2011
4:31 pm
Don’t like the comments but also don’t like that we only heard one side. Don’t believe everything you read but also don’t be a moron and excuse inappropriate behavior/comments from either side.
Lou Vales
April 28th, 2011
4:33 pm
To change the subject, I guess it’s almost time!!
April
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
May
Eureka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P'cola Brave
April 28th, 2011
4:46 pm
This world has become so soft. You can’t say anything without someone being offended. Was Roger right in what he said? No, but it doesn’t warrant him losing his job. Fans heckle because the professionals can’t fire back. Roger called the fans bluff and let him have it. Sh*t happens. Fine him and give him a little suspension. This SF guy is really out for some publicity getting Allred involved in this.
CaptainMudderland
April 28th, 2011
4:48 pm
Dispose of the matter soon…team doesn’t need the distraction….give big Roger a break!!!
mp
April 28th, 2011
4:51 pm
roger’s guilty of being an idiot and responding in ANY negative manner to hecklers is outta line. he’s already apologized. now, he should be firmly scolded in house by the braves, fined, and put on a short leash. any other incident where he addresses fans in a derogatory fashion should result in immediate dismissal.
having said all that, some of y’all are going on a helluva witch hunt, IMO. i guess some of you have never made comments during the heat of the moment you soon regretted. i know i’m guilty. and, trying to paint roger as a “gay basher” is a stretch. yeah, it’s in poor taste but he didn’t walk up to a knowingly gay person in the street and bash their head in while calling them a “homo”. equating his stupid comments and “hate crimes” is unfair, IMO.
as for gloria allred, if she’s so concerned about this kinda speech, why doesn’t she camp out on louis farrakhan’s front door? or, camp out on any number of rapper’s yards who spew degrading lyrics concerning women? she could give a damn about actually “helping” anyone.
LARRY PARRISH
April 28th, 2011
4:56 pm
lol
Dwayne
April 28th, 2011
5:07 pm
so what part of pete is stinky?
J W
April 28th, 2011
5:13 pm
“Continue to investigate” ?! What in the world is that ….. folks, this ain’t Watergate or Iran Contra
Call the man into an office with one or two management officials, and maybe a Commissioner’s representative if that is called for; and ask him what happened? Geez. Don’t let this turn into an ongoings, summer-long Michael Jackson’s physciain type of a circus..
Political Guy
April 28th, 2011
5:15 pm
Thank you Lewis Holt for your post at 3:54. I have read most of the 5 pages… now that I finally found one that sums up the rational, logical, educated conclusion of the blog and fans’ response, I can go elsewhere for entertainment. I liked the Reagan line, you truly understand this wacky world and a main cause of it.
dc
April 28th, 2011
5:22 pm
This is plain ridiculous. why should professional athletes be held to a higher standard than the average person. If you stood in line to get into a bar, and abused the bouncer – a professional in the industry, would you still expect to be allowed into a bar. And people saying if I responded like that in my job I would be fired……if you are abused over the phone, you can just hang up, but if someone was constantly annoying and abusing you in any environment you should be able to stand up for yourself. Roger McDowell said something that out of context is offensive. If indeed the three men were gay then it was offensive. If they were not gay then he was actually using their own prejudices to insult them as otherwise why should a hetrosexual man be upset about being called gay? Roger McDowell has been in this position for 6 years and this is the first reported incident. I know who I back in this. And I really do not believe that he would have said children dont belong at the ballpark……I really do believe that the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is actually fan behaviour. I have been at games where fans have leant accross me and 2 other people to chant $%£” the opposition team (ie$%£” red sox in new york, $%£” dodgers in San Fran) just to abuse the opposing teams fans. On one occasion this was to abuse opposition fans consisting of a mother and 2 children under 10. totally classless, but apprently in most ballparks, totally acceptable. Lastly, it should be remembered that in all likelihood, Roger McDowell responded to abusive behaviour from fans. Why is this turkey and his family so worried about what McDowell said yet not complaining about the language of the original hecklers…..this is just a scam to make money. And by the way, and this applies to all involved in this farcical incident…..sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.
MitchC
April 28th, 2011
5:28 pm
David, I didnt know about the other incident that occurred last season, until now. To me, this shows a pattern of behavior. I was pretty certain that the Braves should fire him before I read about the first incident, and now I’m absolutely sure.
Show him the door. The man has serious personality problems!
Nacho Daddy
April 28th, 2011
5:30 pm
heckling is not a crime, threatening to hit someone with a bat is.
thems da facts
Lou Vales
April 28th, 2011
5:30 pm
I will repeat that I believe Roger should NOT be fired but should have a meeting with the Braves.
I will ask again IF this would have been the Mets’ pitching coach doing the exact same thing in Atlanta and it would have been you as the husband with the wife and kids how would you feel about the situation. If you would feel the same way as you do with the circumstances of situation that actually occured then you have a valid reason to respond. IF you would have gone nuts with the Mets guy doing and saying the same thing, at that point I would say you are not very objective. Whose ox is being gored???
Roger appears quite cerebral so it would have been more of a challenge for fans to match him in a battle of wits than it would with the other 80% or so of baseball players with the mental acumen of a pine tree.
dc
April 28th, 2011
5:31 pm
And how innocent must Mr Quinn be to be offended by this. His outrage suggests that he has never sworn in front of children, never used a derogatory term for a homosexual, african american, a jew, arab, asian etc. I really hope someone who knows him comes out with examples of when he used inappropriate language that people may have found offensive.
richie_richie1986
April 28th, 2011
5:33 pm
honestly this doesn’t surprise me that Roger McDowell said this. He is a quite a smartass as well as Derek Lowe. Going to Spring Training you actually get to see your favorite players personalities… It’s very sad how some of them act towards their fans.
Nacho Daddy
April 28th, 2011
5:34 pm
dc = threatening a 10 yr old’s father with a baseball bat, in front of said 10 yr old, is a crime !
tempe Zac
April 28th, 2011
5:35 pm
He didn’t do a lot of swearing considering he is a baseball player. Kids shouldn’t sit that close, players yell F bombs after a lot of strikeouts
tempe Zac
April 28th, 2011
5:37 pm
Threatening his life would be a crime, this didn’t come to blows even
Lou Vales
April 28th, 2011
5:41 pm
Now if Roger would threaten someone in Philadelphia or New York with a bat that would be gutsy. Hell, even in Chicago and can’t forget my beloved Motor City, but it’s obvious that many of you believe Roger may “have picked his spot” by choosing the fandom of San Francisco. Could have used the Captain Courageous bit when we used to venture to the old Orange Bowl in Miami.Can judge the sincerity of the bravado by the environment in which you display it.
CajunStorm
April 28th, 2011
5:46 pm
Pfffft…dude says through his lawyer that he demands an apology. Apologize DEEZ!!!
Nacho Daddy
April 28th, 2011
5:49 pm
look at the poor soul in a coma because he was a S.F. fan at a Dodgers game, baseball will not look the other way on this…
dc
April 28th, 2011
5:50 pm
I would love to know how threatening this act was……did he jump the fence and go into the stands???? I have not heard one report that says this. Waving a bat in a bullpen is hardly threatening a family with injury. If he goes into the stands with the bat against a defenceless family, then put him in prison as this is indeed a crime. If he hits someone with the bat then put him in prison……..but I have not heard anything that suggests that any fan was in danger from anything more severe that a few insults
jerry
April 28th, 2011
6:11 pm
I don’t agree with what he did and he should be fired and I don’t understand why the fans need a lawyer. If someone calls me a sob, do I need a lawyer?
CajunStorm
April 28th, 2011
6:17 pm
So Jerry…..why does the Man have to be fired. real life is not the Boy Scouts. People make mistakes. Only if you have a repeat offender or long record of bad behavior does anyone have the right to suggest someone be fired! NOT the case here.
John
April 28th, 2011
6:17 pm
Dear Braves:
If you feel you have to fire this guy, please don’t bring back Leo. Every day on 680 he demonstrates what a moron he is.
Rick’s Cafe: On Roger McDowell, homophobia in sports and creative uses for a baseball bat | Off the Bench
April 28th, 2011
6:28 pm
[...] was even surprised at the tone of the message board responses accompanying the McDowell story at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution site. The majority of commenters there condemned the coach, even though he was one of theirs, and lived [...]
H
April 28th, 2011
6:31 pm
Sorry, if you are a fan and think you can get away with all sorts of nonsense, why can’t a player respond back?? Makes no sense. Just because you paid for a ticket doesn’t mean you have the right to spew bad language and not expect a response. Fans are ridiculous these days. And…AND!! Gloria Allred??? The one who represented a Tiger Mistress…come on. How can you take this lady seriously? That just has class all over it…right.
Coach (2011 Fredi G. a Go!)
April 28th, 2011
6:36 pm
I just wanted to repost this from another blog, it’s good stuff about Roger McDowell.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jerry Pritikin aka The Bleacher Preacher:
I just read about Roger McDowell, and his bad choice of antics for any fans, especially Giant Fans. And that McDonnell apologized for his poor choice of actions.
However, I known Roger as one of, if not the best fan friendly players I had the pleasure to watch and know for his many years as a Met,Philly and Dodger pitcher. I first met him in 1984, during a pennant chase… he with the Mets and I was a Super cubs fan. He played Frisbee prior to important games in September. From that time on when ever he came to town, he would always come out to the bleachers and ask” Got your Frisbee?” In September of 1987 on a drizzling rainy day… he came out and asked the question…
there were few fans in the bleachers and no chance of batting practice. As I took my Frisbee out a rookie usher said if i threw it… i would get kicked out of the park. I threw it and sure enough my 75 game streak for that season came to an end. As it turned out…
it made the Chicago Sun-Times and even Sports Illustrated. However, for the next 10 years… when ever he was in town… he came out to say hello, or play catch with a ball or Frisbee. The fans in the cheap seats loved him. Often, people would throw him their cheap cameras… and he would take pictures of them from the field, of his teammates and of himself making funny faces.
On hot days, before a game he would pull out the hose from under the bleachers and cool down the fans. That earned him a “Gunga Din” Award from me. When he was with the Dodgers, he and Orel Hershiser would take a clean garbage can, put a new Dodger jacket, a Bat a signed ball and a hundred dollar bill into it and then had fans from throughout the bleachers trying to make a basket with a baseball. It gave fans a chance, and when someone one won… they got a standing ovation from their fellow bleacherites, and Roger and Orel.
Once, when his team had a traveling day, he stayed behind and sat with us in the bleachers, and he walked over to the fans in wheel chairs, and signed their scorecard or gave them a ball. This went on for years… and never once did I see him mistreat a fan or make unkind gestures.
So when I heard of this story tonight, I wanted to let Brave fans and all baseball fans know that Roger McDowell is a good guy, who made a few bad choices on this one day in a career as a player and coach for over 25 years. I urge the Braves and Giant Fans fans to accept his apology, and maybe Roger can make a donation to a good gay cause.(San Francisco and Atlanta’s Gay Community Centers). I happen to be gay, and spoke OUT against Cubs Pitcher Julian Taverez in 2001 when he made anti-gay remarks, as well as John Rocker. But both those guys had a history of being hot headed and anti-gay. My best wishes to him for all those great years he entertained fans in Chicago and elsewhere.
Cheers and Good Sportsmanship Always,
Jerry Pritikin aka The Bleacher Preacher.
Billy
April 28th, 2011
6:36 pm
A baseball team coach is heckled and heckled a fan or fans back. The fans can dish it out, but can’t take it. Any opportunity to sue a public figure. I wonder if this suing fan has any mysterious falls in a supermarket? I say launch an investigation into the fans background.
Fans heckle from the stands and when they are heckled back cry and whine like sissys. I understand the fans were using a baseball bat and making sexual gestures and using the bat in a sexual way towards Roger, but that is acceptable behavior.