Roger McDowell lucky to be suspended only two weeks
Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell will escape with only a two-week suspension.
This would be a good day for Roger McDowell to play the lottery. He’ll never be luckier than he is right now.
McDowell has been suspended for two weeks without pay and fined an undisclosed amount for alleged anti-gay slurs and his inappropriate conduct toward fans in San Francisco last week. He also has been ordered to take sensitivity training.
Say thank you, Roger.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig — who last week suspended Ozzie Guillen two games for something as trivial as Tweeting — could have slammed McDowell.
I’ve heard from several readers who believe the Braves should have fired him. I wasn’t in that camp, but I do believe a suspension of at least 30 games was in order.
“I understand the decision made today by the commissioner,” McDowell said in a statement. “I am embarrassed by my actions and I plan to give a personal apology to Mr. [Justin] Quinn and his family. I would also like to offer a public and heartfelt apology to the fans of San Francisco, to the Atlanta Braves organization, my family and to Major League Baseball.”
The official news release did not give specifics of McDowell’s exchange with fans. But neither did it dispute anything that has been reported or brought out at Quinn’s news conference last week. Allegations include various homophobic slurs, a crude joke involving a baseball bat and an exchange with Quinn, a father of two, who claimed McDowell said to him, “How much are your teeth worth?”
A story in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle quoted another fan that corroborated many of Quinn’s claims.
In short, it is alleged McDowell spewed anti-gay remarks and made a quasi-threat to a fan. Whether he was joking or not, that can’t be tolerated.
Certainly, nobody was coming to McDowell’s defense Sunday. Even Braves team president John Schuerholz said, “We are clearly disappointed in Roger’s remarks and actions and the Atlanta Braves organization does not tolerate that kind of behavior.”
McDowell’s two-week suspension is retroactive to last Friday, which means he can return on Friday the 13th (go figure) against Philadelphia. It’s a little sooner than some might have expected.
Say thank you, Roger.
FOR LIVE BLOG ON TODAY’S GAME: Click here.
By Jeff Schultz
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136 comments Add your comment
VJacket
May 1st, 2011
1:24 pm
First!
Joe Tess Fish House
May 1st, 2011
1:24 pm
FIST!!
Marty
May 1st, 2011
1:25 pm
Thanks for the update. Proofread your story a little better next time.
Roger McDowell
May 1st, 2011
1:25 pm
2nd
Vain Jangling
May 1st, 2011
1:25 pm
Third!
Vain Jangling
May 1st, 2011
1:26 pm
I mean fourth!
chalkdawg4
May 1st, 2011
1:26 pm
Sounda about right to me. Hope he has learned his lesson.
Hoosier Aaron
May 1st, 2011
1:28 pm
That’s from MLB, correct?
Are the Braves going to deal with it internally?
JS’s comment says “does not tolerate”…Sound like the Braves might have other plans, too.
“Atlanta Braves organization does not tolerate that kind of behavior”, JS
BRAVESFAN
May 1st, 2011
1:29 pm
I thought Fredi was the one who was suspended from coaching duties this year!
Joe Tess Fish House
May 1st, 2011
1:30 pm
I thing these fans R lieing about what happened. It wood be easy 2 make up a story just 2 get him in truble.
Brave Fan
May 1st, 2011
1:30 pm
Yes what he did was wrong and stupid but geez you sound like anything less than losing his job is not punishment. John Rocker’s tirade was as bad or worse and he didn’t get crucified like you are crucifying Roger. If your life is mistake free then you have a right to judge; otherwise you don’t. As for Lowe, how many of you newspaper guys have gotten in your cars and driven after drinking. Again, Lowe was stupid, did a stupid thing, and will pay the consequences. I think you need to be removed from the Braves beat. I am very disappointed in you and your holier than thou attitude. And the sainted Mr. Quinn, who did not want his daughters to hear all that went on, still managed to take them on TV and re-enact the actions of Roger. Guess when his pockets was getting filled it was okay for his daughters to see and hear?
Verdict is in on Roger McDowell | ATLmalcontent
May 1st, 2011
1:31 pm
[...] MLB has suspended McDowell for two weeks without pay. I thought he would get worse — like Jeff Schultz, I think a month would’ve been appropriate. Firing him would’ve been excessive (was Kobe Bryant forced to retire?), but McDowell has put himself at the mercy of the indignation councils. He has no one to blame but himself. [...]
LIVE BLOG: Lowe starts as Braves try to win one vs. Cards | Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
1:34 pm
[...] UPDATE II: McDowell has been suspended for two weeks. Here’s a link to the blog: [...]
Rosgator
May 1st, 2011
1:35 pm
Very lucky indeed. Freddie needs to tighten the ship right now.
Valerie
May 1st, 2011
1:35 pm
He is lucky. I guess the Braves don’t put much in diversity. If I had done that with my company I would be looking for another job. But then I don’t have to worry about winning a World Series or bringing in a crowd to watch the games. Money talks.
McDowell suspended « Rowland's Office
May 1st, 2011
1:35 pm
[...] As Jeff Schultz writes, McDowell got lucky. [...]
TommyJack
May 1st, 2011
1:35 pm
McDowell was wrong. Punishment borderline excessive. Too PC. Most people don’t run to Gloria Allred when insulted. Move on.
Stevo
May 1st, 2011
1:35 pm
Whoa, Brave Fan, settle down with the personal attacks.
However, I do agree on some of the stuff. Lowe acted stupidly, and so did McDowell. That being said, we all mess up, and I am a firm believer in 2nd chances. We aren’t an organization that has this happen often (Furcal and Rocker are th last public issues I can think of) so this will be dealt with and WONT happen again.
R McDowell Jr.
May 1st, 2011
1:38 pm
Suspended for 2 weeks??? that’s so gay.
Brin
May 1st, 2011
1:40 pm
How refreshing it would be if just once a Fan would step forward and admit that he or she provoked, prodded and otherwise harassed the coach to the point he just could not take the abuse any longer. Fans do have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a decent fashion. If you utter fighting words then be ready to defend yourself…some folks will not take it no matter how politically incorrect it is supposed to be.
Political correctness will be our end. When folks can no longer vent their true feelings…freedom of speech is gone and when we were born we never were guaranteed we would never be offended…
Larry
May 1st, 2011
1:40 pm
Jeff,
This was a verbal infraction, nothing physical and no was was so much as touched by a feather. I think the two weeks without pay is acceptable but the internal punishment he will give himself far outweighs any monetary punishment. He and his family must live with this goof forever and he more than likely will never be considered for a manager’s job because of this.
Perhaps it is you that could use some sensitivity training!
On a professional note, could Mr. Kimbrel have used Roger the last two games?
Kenny Powers
May 1st, 2011
1:40 pm
Roger that.
tech-is-my-bee-otch
May 1st, 2011
1:41 pm
What the headline should REALLY read is this:AJC FIRES Schultz for horrible journalism….geez, give the guy a break….he did wrong, but obviously was getting taunted/heckled by the Left Coast “fans” during the series, and he snapped….Were his actions wrong? yes! But he got hit with NO pay for a couple of weeks and a tarnished image for life…after watching our bullpen explode the last two games, I would say we need Roger back in the dugout ASAP…
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
1:42 pm
Marty — Had to rush to get something up. Cleaned up. I’ll give you a nickel if you find a typo.
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
1:43 pm
Hoosier Aaron — Punishment came down from MLB. Braves were open about the fact two days ago that Selig was going to make the call on this.
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
1:44 pm
Brave fan — You perceive incorrectly. I wrote he should be suspended 30 games. I never wrote he should lose his job. So don’t make stuff up.
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
1:44 pm
Rosgator — Alas, somebody with perspective.
Joey
May 1st, 2011
1:44 pm
A one time incicent. No prior history.
I think punishment is just right.
Roger, next time taunt a white, Christian redneck. Not only will that NOT get you in trouble, it will lead to an appearance on Dave or Leno, as well as pats on the back from the ACLU . . .
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
1:45 pm
TommyJack — I do agree with you on the whole Gloria Allred thing. Embarrassing that a father had his two daughters up there in news conference.
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
1:47 pm
Larry — “… but the internal punishment he will give himself far outweighs any monetary punishment. He and his family must live with this goof forever and he more than likely will never be considered for a manager’s job because of this.”
… You’re certainly right about the public humiliation part. Not sure about the managerial future part, we’ll see.
idot
May 1st, 2011
1:47 pm
JS… Sorry, but the Marshall isn’t going to let you and the rest of your lynch mob hang him.
Bobby
May 1st, 2011
1:47 pm
I think most gays who either participate in or follow sports will be satisified with the two week suspension coupled with the MLB and Braves announcements that such conduct will not be tolerated. It sends a strong enough signal and I don’t put McDowell in the same class a Rocker who proved himself a jerk more than once.
Sonny Clusters
May 1st, 2011
1:50 pm
We was thinking this is starting out like a dog day.
He should of been fired
May 1st, 2011
1:55 pm
No doubt the Braves and MLB went easy on what was a firing offense—-Your lucky Roger—but what made you say those things? Are you really that angry? You need some help
golferinatlanta
May 1st, 2011
1:56 pm
Should be fired. Period. We don’t need this type of insensitivity
Marvel Goose
May 1st, 2011
1:58 pm
aw heck, he was just funnin’. He didn’t mention anyone’s mama, dawg, or pickup truck, so he warn’t serious. Them diversity folks in San Fransisco can tolerate a Potentate come to visit with his harem, or a cannibal king with an ice chest, but let a red neck walk in and whamo! Don’t them folks out there know that rednecks call each other homo all the time? Nobody means nuttin’ by it.
It reminds me of the time at a fund raiser for VSU in Valdosta when two good old boys was comparing pocket knives in the boy’s bathroom and discussing which part they were going to shave off’n the other and a college professor turned three shades of beige and bolted out the door. Lord did everyone laugh about that one!
Ted
May 1st, 2011
2:00 pm
Interesting how people make excuses for this piece of crap who went on this hateful, vitriolic tirade. Short of being fired, he should have been suspended for 90 games to send a strong and clear signal that this behavior will not be tolerated. The “punishment” is a joke and McDowell’s actions contribute to Atlanta’s well-deserved label of being an intolerant city. He’s a disgrace to the Braves organization.
Joey
May 1st, 2011
2:02 pm
And Ted, you are a disgrace to this blog.
Bang!
Mike Franklin
May 1st, 2011
2:04 pm
It’s a tough call. There can be no doubt that the SF fans incited the incident, but equally no doubt that this is something that has to be expected and basically ignored if one is playing or coaching at this level. The public has the right to say whatever they please. They can call you any name, pelt you with anything from batteries to beer bottles to spit. The folks on the field do not have the liberty to respond in kind.
It’s strictly an unlevel playing field but… that’s the old ball game.
As for the so-called ’sensitivity’ training? What a joke. You really want sensitivity? Try politely asking the jerk in the car next to you at the red light to turn down his electronic assault system. You’ll get all kinds of sensitivity experience from that!
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
2:04 pm
Folks, I don’t want to close this blog to commenting so please refrain from making anti-gay jokes. Thanks. J
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
2:07 pm
Pete — can’t use the word.
Jerry Pritikin aka The Bleacher Preacher
May 1st, 2011
2:07 pm
I am glad that Roger was not fired, for his purported actions. I found the recreation of the so called events in Mr. Quinns Lawyer’s office in front of his children disgusting. I hope MLB fine goes to the S.F. Harvey Milk Academy and Atlanta’s Gay Community Center. As an openly gay person who has fought for gay rights for 40 years, I am satisfied with Roger’s apology and MLB actions. For those fans who thought that McDowell should of been fired, how many of you are perfect?
P Rose
May 1st, 2011
2:07 pm
Can we lose the hot pink Sunday home jerseys next season? I think they jinx the team. What is the Sunday home record over the past four seasons? I’ll bet it stinks.
pete
May 1st, 2011
2:08 pm
sorry jeff. can you change it to gay?
RogerDodger
May 1st, 2011
2:09 pm
Roger should have been fired just for being that dumb for actually participating, not for what he said. Like when college players before the combine fire one up, with the full knowledge they will be drug tested at it.
Steve
May 1st, 2011
2:10 pm
Wow, if I threaten a customer at my work with bodily harm in front of his kids, do you think I would get a two-week unpaid vacation? Jeff, how about you? “Lucky” is an interesting term for it. I choose to believe it condones the behavior so I will spend my entertainment money elsewhere.
amateur editor
May 1st, 2011
2:12 pm
Jeff, I think the quote has a typo….. probably was “worth” not work….. Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
2:15 pm
Pete — You can. We’re not allowed to change comments, only approve or delete. Sorry.
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
2:16 pm
Amateur editor — Damn it! Got one. Owe you a nickel.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:20 pm
@Brin
In August of 1969 after graduating from high school, I water-ballooned the Chicago Bleacher Bums in the lower deck from the club level at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium after Security had confiscated my weapons of choice from the upper deck. I used stairs meant for the food service to go where the police were not. I had a hunch they would do something to provoke me but I couldn’t throw the water-balloons without provocation. In the seventh inning they did an up with Sherman cheer. I, and the embarrassed friends I had dragged along, soaked them.
Since I am now an adult, assuming I don’t catch Lowe’s disease, I spin it that the water-ballooning got a cheer from the Braves fans in the nearby seats and so prevented a drunken brawl from erupting.
I should have gone into political spinning.
I was going to put this in a book but it doesn’t appear I’ll ever write it.
bvillebaron
May 1st, 2011
2:20 pm
Given that the Quninn’s publicity seeking attorney sought an apology and senstivitity training, it seems to me that the punishment more than fit the crime. People calling for him to lose his job are over the top.
Herschel Talker
May 1st, 2011
2:21 pm
Schultzie:
“How much are you teeth worth?” should be “How much are your teeth worth?”
Please pay me my nickel.
HT
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
2:25 pm
Herschel — Sorry. I only budgeted for one typo.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:29 pm
@Jerry Pritikin aka Bleacher Preacher
Jerry, since your fans provoked me as I had guessed they would in 1969 with an “Up With Sherman” (who burned down Atlanta in the Civil War) cheer, do I get a pardon for coming clean?
Read my prior post.
I think they deserved it.
And who knows on a hot summer day surrounded by beer drinking Atlantans what might have resulted without my “good” deed.
Thanks for speaking up in Roger’s defense.
TommyJack
May 1st, 2011
2:31 pm
Ted: 2:00 That’s just idiotic. We don’t know the context. May McDowell was kidding around. Maybe the “victims” were kidding around. We weren’t there. Or maybe you were.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:31 pm
Jeff,
You’re on your game today with your replies.
wonderinif...
May 1st, 2011
2:31 pm
I’m wondering if I could find out who employs the knucklehead in the convertible that had has his rap music blaring with “f” this and “mf” that every other line, who pulled up beside me and my 11 and 13 year olds yesterday at the traffic light, who was talking to his homey using the same language so dang loud that I could record him on my cell…I’m wondering if I could find out who employs him and talk to his employer to see if I could get him…or the next 50 jackasses like him…fired, fined, suspended? We’re subjected to stuff we don’t like and don’t want to hear all the time…c’mon guys, close your ears or get used to it…you can’t legislate morality. Everyone in society today is a victim…well, now you are too Roger…
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:32 pm
The Bleacher Preacher’s comments may have saved Roger’s rear end for all we know.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:34 pm
I know one thing.
Lowe better bring his A game to shut his critics up.
Or a road trip can’t come soon enough for him.
Skeezix
May 1st, 2011
2:34 pm
From all of this (Roger’s apologies, etc.), I am assuming then that what has been written and said about Roger’s behavior is mostly true. Therefore:
I am very disappointed that the Braves have a guy in a leadeship position who is:
a. Obviously immature
b. Intellectually stunted
c. Ignorant
d. Says such terrible things in front of children
e. Threatens fans (i.e., the customers) with baseball bats
e. And, apparently is oblivious to the fact that kids & families should always be welcomed at baseball games.
This episode ( and Lowe’s DUI) has had to have a negative effect on a team that was starting to play well and now looks disheartened/distracted. He should be very thankful to Braves management and MLB for the mercy he has been given and hopefully he will commit to becoming a better person and more worthy of being the Braves pitching coach.
I am glad this sad episode is getting behind us.
Braves .....lol
May 1st, 2011
2:35 pm
This is only symptom…..Braves suck atm.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:37 pm
The new apology was far superior to the old apology.
I still wonder if he had just collected himself, apologized at that time and offered the two twins a baseball if this whole stupid mess could have been avoided.
But maybe he lost his temper for some reason.
Nomobama
May 1st, 2011
2:38 pm
Guess ted never heard the expression sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me. All this pc crap is just…crap.
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
2:40 pm
Jackets 2011 — Thanks. And responding to comments on 2 blogs at once, while eating ice cream!
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:43 pm
@Skeezix.
I felt a little like you do until I read the Bleacher preacher’s comments defending RM a few days ago.
I’ll bet he was just joking around like he does a lot and was surprised that he erupted toward the dad when the dad tried to discipline him.
Maybe I have a temperament like Roger’s.
I have erupted (verbally) a few times in my life and been surprised it happened.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:44 pm
Roger,
Call me if u need an attorney.
I’m great at spin.
Kiding.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:45 pm
Alright.
That’s going all out for your readers I’d say.
Roger
May 1st, 2011
2:46 pm
Does anyone else think the Gloria is kinda hot? Or is it just me? I don’t know, when she was doing that baseball bat demonstration….
Dawg'88
May 1st, 2011
2:47 pm
Schultz lucky not to be fired everyday…
Joey…good one.
Slam a Christian white person…get no punishment!
Its ok.
Bet there are quite a few fans on here who have probably stood around and/or either laughed or told a gay joke more than once in their lifetime. If you stand there and say nothing, you look as if you agree. Tell one and you’ve got no room to call for McDowell’s head. So before you continue to spout selfrighteousness….cleanup your own houses!
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
2:51 pm
I’m pissed at Lowe but I’ll get over it.
He could win today and make a charitable contribution to the Salvation Army or Red Cross or some group that help the tornado-impaired and I promise to get over it even quicker.
Michael Scott
May 1st, 2011
2:53 pm
Hey Marty … nice to know there’s been two perfect human beings that have walked this Earth. The last one was 2000 years ago. Boom, roasted!
Dawg'88
May 1st, 2011
2:54 pm
BTW…I suppose those fans in SF were tell Roger what a great guy he was and how they thought he was a great coach too…yeah right? Many who have ever been to SF will tell you that they ahve idiot fans too who push your butttons to no end until you finally explode into anger.
It still doesn’t make Roger right but I doubt he was just standing around and said to himself….”I think I’ll go over there and damage or ruin my career by saying some dirty things”. Really..do you all believe that? Wow. He had to have been goaded into this in my opinion…I have seen him be nothing but gracious to fans and acknowledges the young ones in particular. They wanted to make him angry and see what he would do…that’s just as sick and wrong too. Security never takes care of these types. Many get a good laugh out of them being rude to the opposition…bet JS has laughed at a heckler a time or two as well.
Hmmmm
Bobby
May 1st, 2011
2:54 pm
Miss me yet?
HPSP
May 1st, 2011
2:55 pm
I wouldn’t have minded seeing McDowell fired for his actions, especially in light of the story that came out in the Chronicle with the corroborating witness. (One who isn’t caught up in Ms. Allred’s web.)
Would a “lesser” Braves employee be fired for doing/saying the same thing McDowell did? Seems like an important follow up question to explore. If so, there is a terrible double standard in place.
HPSP
May 1st, 2011
2:57 pm
I meant to add, I would have agreed with a 30 day suspension. Two weeks is ridiculous.
The Voice Of Reason
May 1st, 2011
3:00 pm
Anyone who thinks the fans are lying is an idiot at best!
No need to say what at worst.
Those on his side are the same ones who said Vick got what he deserves and should still be out of football.
It’s the same double standard. And we all see how it is played.
Today Joe Simpson said after two weeks this should all be behind him. He will still be the same person who thought and said those things to children. I suppose that’s okay to some people.
Big surprise
pete
May 1st, 2011
3:02 pm
hate to tell you guys, but last year was a fluke for Martin Prado
Jack Robinson
May 1st, 2011
3:05 pm
My opinion of Roger McDowell just rose.
bob
May 1st, 2011
3:07 pm
I would have given the man an award not a suspension because PC is un-American and sucks. Can’t prove it but I’ve heard gays do too.
Mr Charlie
May 1st, 2011
3:09 pm
Kinda looking that way, I did question it last year and got slapped down by none other than our host.
Robert
May 1st, 2011
3:18 pm
I have a little different take, I guess. I find it hard to believe that McDowell would have done this if Bobby Cox had still been sitting in the dugout. McDowell’s behavior was highly disrespectful of Fredi Gonzalez. This is Fredi’s team now, and Fredi’s coaching staff. The conduct of McDowell and the rest of the staff now reflect on Gonzalez. Personally, I think for the disrespect factor against Gonzalez alone, I think McDowell should have been fired.
I-town brave
May 1st, 2011
3:26 pm
bring back bobby! The braves are terrible and out of control with player arrests, coach suspensions. Bobby can restore order to the team.
The Voice Of Reason
May 1st, 2011
3:29 pm
Let’s see:
Blame the coach.
Blame the PC Police
We live in a world of Phillistines and we all know what happened to them.
Oh no you don’t because none of you can or do read.
LIVE BLOG: Lowe starts as Braves try to win one vs. Cards | webdesigner-sa
May 1st, 2011
3:49 pm
[...] UPDATE II: McDowell has been suspended for two weeks. Here’s a link to the blog: [...]
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
3:55 pm
Wonder who has the set up and closer jobs today.
If there will be any change.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
3:56 pm
The ship really needs to get righted with a W.
Jackets 2011
May 1st, 2011
3:59 pm
Bring back Bobby?
No it’s Wagner we need to bring back.
We need this game bad.
Donaldo
May 1st, 2011
4:02 pm
Roger should report immediately to the North GA communities hit by the recent tornadoes. He needs a lesson in humility. Then time duing community service, until the fans get a sense baseball really means what it says, I will not be attending and spending hard earned $$ to see guys like this.
Chris
May 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
If McDowell’s actions really bothered that fan he would not have repeated them in front of his children. Also, do you really need an abulance chaser up there with you? I would like to hear what was said to provoke McDowell in the first place.
The Voice Of Reason
May 1st, 2011
4:27 pm
To Chris:
Let me get this right. You think it’s okay to speak to kids that way no matter what was said to him?
Maybe you don’t have kids or don’t care what gets said to them, right?
It was wrong stop making excuses for him.
He and everyone supporting him needs to man up!
This is Stupid
May 1st, 2011
4:58 pm
This is the stupidest story ever. He had every right to yell back at fans who was yelling at him. Of course his told to keep his mouth shut at rowdy fans taunting him, but obviously the line was crossed. And furthermore the fact that the fan went and tried to play the victim role shows the character of that guy. I can’t even understand logically how anyone can take the side of the man who initiated the whole thing, and then whine and twisted a story to get revenge for getting yelled back at. Who cares if he said anti-gay statements… That’s not illegal, and people need to stop being so sensitive and trying to enforce their political agenda on people. He didn’t do ANYTHING wrong. AT ALL. Simple threats are not against the law. This is just a classic case of a man acting like a boy who harasses someone and then whines to his “mom” when he can’t handle what comes back at him. Shame on you Schultz for attempting to make him sound like a 2- week suspension was weak. Shame on you.
chris
May 1st, 2011
5:00 pm
Let’s move on from this- jeez. season is already getting off to a rocky start on the field, dont need this off the field stuff; Im far more concerned with Derek Lowe’s behaviour driiving drunk and racing down Peachtree which could have killed someone….two weeks is probably the right punishment here even though there will be those who think it too much or too less. This is why some players, coaches and managers dont say too much to the media and fans – can’t win..Im so glad though that Mr. Quinn got his five minutes in the sun and Gloria Alred (ARE YOU KIDDING ME?) got to show her pathetic face on tv again. (why couldnt a call to the MLB offices had sufficed)…to make this a spectacle it does make you wander what really happened…jeez..and Bud got to act like he was really concerned about the image of MLB….priceless….just saying; yes it was not the classiest moment in Roger McDowell’s life to do this and agreed he’s lucky he just got suspended.
TRIPLEDART
May 1st, 2011
5:10 pm
Who the hell cares.Jeff your a punk ass write about something that matters.You work for the worst paper in the country and always never have your facts straight.sort like your private life.
ATLER ( ramblin wreck )
May 1st, 2011
5:14 pm
No your lucky to still have a job reporting sports J.S. You and M.B. suck!!!!!!!!!
Jeff (not Schultz)
May 1st, 2011
5:35 pm
Schultz, you and every other “fire McDowell” person on the planet are hypocrites!
So it’s wrong to say things that are terribly offensive to a specific group, right?
Your statement was: “In short, it is alleged McDowell spewed anti-gay remarks and made a quasi-threat to a fan. Whether he was joking or not, that can’t be tolerated.”
Oh, I see, smart-butt…. so it’s OKAY for professional ballplayers and drunk fans in the stands to REPEATEDLY use the Lord’s name in vain and utter disgusting profanity at every game in every situation at the drop of a hat, which is offensive to TENS OF MILLIONS of Christians around the world… but if I use Kobe’s phrase that is offensive to gays or if I use an anti-Islam term that is offensive to Muslims, then I should be punished? HOW HYPOCRITICAL!!! Where is the outrage toward the words and actions in society every day that offend Christians? The answer is that society is hypocritical and doesn’t give a CRAP if it offends Christians, because it’s ok in today’s world to mock people of faith.
So let’s get this straight: you CAN’T make a joke with a rhetorial question to a bunch of obscene, heckling fans, but you CAN use the G-D word or J-C or M-F’er or whatever else is popular in our society these days, even though a LOT of people consider those words horribly offensive and profane?
I’m sure some of the arguments I’ll here is “Oh, C’mon, those are only words!”, to which I respond: that’s exactly Roger’s point. It’s only words… those pansies in the stands in San Francisco should have been behaving better, and their continuous obscene heckling all game got under Roger’s skin. In short, they deserved it, and if Mr. Fan out in SF who made a big deal of this was SO CONCERNED about protecting his kids from obscene behavior and bad language, he should have contacted security and had the drunk, profane heckling fans thrown out on their butts.
Those of you who “won’t support the Braves anymore because they didn’t fire Roger”, well I say good riddance. Go find a tapas bar in Midtown to spend your money on. I’ll continue to support Roger McDowell and the Braves.
IF ANYBODY should be FIRED from the Braves, it’s Derek Lowe, for his reprehensible and dangerous behavior. HE should face a year-long suspension, in my opinion… what he did was A THOUSAND TIMES WORSE than what Roger McDowell did.
kirkinga
May 1st, 2011
5:38 pm
I thought the Braves expected a certain level of professionalism throughout the entire organization and those unable, or unwilling, to adhere to that standard were summarily jettisoned. Now I see that this standard is only for players; or better yet, only players who have the additional burden of being disliked in the locker room.
I think what saved McDowell was the lack a video of the incident. It is hard to imagine the Braves would issue a slap on the wrist if such a video had gone viral. It also helps that his slurs were against a group where many still think it’s acceptable to slur.
I wonder if Mr. Shultz and others would accept a mere 30 game suspension as a penalty if the slurs had been racist, or antisemitic? I wonder also if the optics would be the same had the Quinns been a minority or unable to afford a Gloria Allred?
I’d say McDowell was more lucky than ever.
Ben Dover
May 1st, 2011
5:38 pm
Only in America would a freakin white, heterosexual keep his job after this. Insane.
Ben Dover
May 1st, 2011
5:42 pm
MLB players and coaches should have no rights! We queer and non queers pay our money at the gate and shoukd be able to speak to them like zoo animals (and umpires) and fear zero consequences.
Ben Dover
May 1st, 2011
5:43 pm
Mr Quinn has first ammendment rights. Roger McDowell apparently does not.
SaveOurRepublic
May 1st, 2011
5:43 pm
In this age of cultural marxism. I’m surprised the Nanny Statists didn’t charge him with a (bogus) “hate” crime & send him to Gitmo. This PC BS has gone waaaaay too far.
buzz is wiser
May 1st, 2011
5:46 pm
I’m usually on the Tech blogs but I had to say something. The Braves found themselves in a tough situation this week. McDowell most likely using the f word and that is one of those words that you just don’t say, especially to someone you don’t know and as a person in his position. Should he have been fired, no. It’s one of many slurs that are offensive. But why did D. Lowe start today, what he did today was far worse and irresponsible than that of McDowell in my opinion. McDowell just hurt some feelings, Lowe could’ve killed somebody and was illegal, where is his suspension? Its just strange that nothing has yet happened to Lowe for his irresponsible actions. By the way, does anybody know R. Furcal punishment when he did this some years back?
America, land of the sweet
May 1st, 2011
5:49 pm
I hope McDowell counter sues. In no way would he have ever said those things to any fan without being provoked. I hope Mr Quinn gets carpet burns on BOTH his knees for this.
College Park
May 1st, 2011
5:51 pm
What is America coming to?
kirkinga
May 1st, 2011
5:54 pm
Look for the Braves to now face even more heckling than ever.
Of course, “we like our Ross better”, is hardly provocative.
spike
May 1st, 2011
5:55 pm
The comments in this thread – well, let’s just say you’re all doing a fabulous job of living down to expectations.
All fours
May 1st, 2011
5:59 pm
Personall I think the Atlanta Braves organization and Roger McDowell should both apologize to all the good queers of San Fransisco and Atlanta.
All fours
May 1st, 2011
6:01 pm
It’s OK for the Met’s fans to call Chipper, “Larry”, but not OK if they call him “fairy”?
sweet pants
May 1st, 2011
6:02 pm
hey Roger, bend over and take it like a man!
Al Campanis
May 1st, 2011
6:05 pm
homo’s lack the necessities too
Double standard
May 1st, 2011
6:25 pm
I disagree with what Al Campanis, sweet pants, All fours and Ben Dover said, but they certainly have the same Constitutional rights to speak here as the hecklers did at Candlestick. Do they not? Am I missing something? Or does, Al, sp, All and Ben need a good lawyer with instant access to the world wide media?
Braves' Lowe bounces back from arrest and first inning | Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
6:58 pm
[...] All was well with this typically non-film-at-11 franchise once again – well, unless you count the two-week suspension to pitching coach Roger McDowell for saying unbelievably stupid [...]
Jeff Schultz
May 1st, 2011
7:00 pm
Folks, my column on Derek Lowe is posted.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2011/05/01/braves-lowe-bounces-back-from-arrest-and-first-inning/
Roger McLucky
May 1st, 2011
7:08 pm
“statement” this, “statement” that .. has this guy ever come out in public to say anything or is he just hiding and releasing these “statements” (that for all we know could be written by his publicist)?
You say “I am embarrassed by my actions” but just releasing statements does not show that at all
Chris
May 1st, 2011
7:09 pm
Voice of Reason, I did not say what McDowell did was o.k. What I meant was for the fan to act like he was so hurt that his children had to see and hear what McDowell did in front of his children, he had no problems using them as props and exposing them to more vulgar acts as he acted out what happened, Also even though you are told not to react to fans, they should not have freedom to say anything they want to players and coaches. I doubt Roger just decided to pick on fans for fun.
D(UI) Lowe
May 1st, 2011
7:13 pm
“TRIPLEDART: Who the hell cares.Jeff your a punk ass write about something that matters”
yeah, the atlanta braves pitching coach is suspended for 30 days Jeff .. write about something baseball related!!! .. oh wait
“You work for the worst paper in the country”
that would be the NYT
“and always never have your facts straight.sort like your private life”
and now we know who DLowe was racing, this drunkie right here
Larry
May 1st, 2011
7:17 pm
What utter garbage. Whatever happened to Freedom of Speech, including the right to be an a**h**e? Gloria Allred is overwhelming evidence that this is a completely bs case. PC is very quickly and very completely destroying this country. Then what will the terminally offended do?
braves rule
May 1st, 2011
7:30 pm
just cut that money hungry family a check for a couple of hundred thousand–that’s all they want. But, their high priced attorney will want her 40% cut, so the braves better bump the offer to $300,000 to keep them quiet.
Chaps
May 1st, 2011
7:45 pm
I’m sure MLB closely examined any video that might be around and interviewed everyone they could find seated nearby. If they had found one scintilla of evidence that he did all he was accused of, he would be fired. They didn’t so they gave him a suspension for PR sake.
Stephen Frazier
May 1st, 2011
7:55 pm
That’s funny, until this very moment I had no idea that there was such a thing as a gay SLUR in SAN FRANCISCO.
I thought calling someone in Frisco gay was like calling someone in Indiana a Hoosier.
My bad.
gt4ever
May 1st, 2011
8:14 pm
This is such a JOKE!
DC Braves Fan
May 1st, 2011
9:06 pm
So to sum up — for a second time — McDowell said something really stupid, had no justification for doing so, and is lucky he still has a job. Wow. Such deep insights. You know, a good opinion writer actually should try to persuade people, not just tell us how they feel, particularly when what they tell us is so utterly lacking in insight.
Really
May 1st, 2011
10:11 pm
Jeff
I was in San Fran for the series and by braves .
Roger never said what has been reported.
Also Terry, John and frank told roger to apologize regardless of his innocence!
Please dig deeper
UGA Poofer
May 1st, 2011
11:08 pm
I just don’t see how we can accept anything less than a public whipping followed with a hanging.
Nick Yang
May 1st, 2011
11:10 pm
Solid info! I wonder if this’ll show up on CoachWatcher. CW is the place to go for all the coaching info, news, and rumors. http://www.CoachWatcher.com
Pillowbiter
May 2nd, 2011
12:05 am
Big deal. He yelled at some Sodomites. Who cares?
Osama bin Laden
May 2nd, 2011
12:06 am
Sorry. I was too busy shagging a goat to hear the spec ops guys sneak up on me. HOOOOAHHHH!
Carson
May 2nd, 2011
8:53 am
I have heard fans CALL TERRIBLE THINGS TO PLAYERS. Our illusion of freedom should be remembered when responding.
TishTash
May 2nd, 2011
9:21 am
You know, the wonderfully tolerant comments on this board [/sarcasm] do nothing to convince me that the deep South is one step away from lynching anyone a shade darker than Adolph Hitler. Atlanta may like to fancy itself a sophisticated metropolis, but its region is still one racist and sexist hellhole.
Chuck M
May 2nd, 2011
10:50 am
“Brave Fan” If it was your Daughter that had to hear that garbage coming from the the mouth of that idiot Roger,you would want him fired.That is no way for a grown man to behave.
Chuck M
May 2nd, 2011
10:53 am
All fours a Duh,Chippers name is Larry.
bigdog
May 2nd, 2011
11:30 am
Let’s play smear the queer.
USMC DAWG
May 2nd, 2011
1:15 pm
If gays want to be treated equal and left alone, why do they whine and demand sooo much attention everytime someone farts in their direction?
unreligious
May 2nd, 2011
2:17 pm
Why are so many of the comments here bashing Gay people. Neither the three men who his comments were originally directed at, or the father were Gay. Why are so many people acting like it is all Gay peoples fault. Mr McDowell used a Gay slur to imply that the fans were Gay and somehow less of a man than he was. When another spectator complained about his language he then threatened him. Yet you have numerous comments on here blaming the whole situation on Gay people. Kind of shows just how homophobic some of you are. By-the-way all you defenders of freedom of speech. The constitution only protects speech from governmental interference. It has never protected it from interference from your corporate overlords. Nor does freedom of speech give you freedom from criticism of what you have said.
Belcher
May 2nd, 2011
4:31 pm
Enter your connemts here.
Billy Wingarden
May 4th, 2011
12:38 am
two years would be more like it. when you kick them in the financial balls their hearts and minds will follow.
John Rocker tells magazine he’s close to publishing memoir | Jeff Schultz
May 4th, 2011
10:41 am
[...] couple of weeks. He was an historical reference point for observers after Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell’s verbal altercation with fans in San Francisco, which allegedly included homophobic [...]