Roger McDowell: A good pitching coach is in deep trouble
McDowell's accusers: The Quinn family of Fresno, Calif., and attorney Gloria Allred. (AP photo)
Roger McDowell, who’s a very good pitching coach, is in deep trouble because he engaged a round of verbal volleying at AT&T Park over the weekend. Four days later, McDowell has been forced to apologize and the Braves have been moved to offer a statement expressing “concern” and even Bud Selig has weighed in.
At the heart of McDowell’s side of the repartee is, according to a family being advised by the famous attorney Gloria Allred, a volley of anti-gay sentiment. The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant was just fined $100,000 by the NBA for directing a gay slur at a referee during a game, but McDowell’s alleged outburst doesn’t seem a heat-of-the-moment thing.
For one thing, it apparently took place before Saturday’s game. For another, it doesn’t appear to have been a one-time salvo. The Quinn family of Fresno, Calif., alleges that McDowell’s side of the dialogue went on for a while and involved physical threats and even the suggestive use of a bat.
Lest we forget, the Braves have been forced to answer for expressed intolerance before — after John Rocker’s infamous Sports Illustrated rant of December 1999. Bad as that was, it was basically just one loudmouth venting. These allegations are worse: At best they involve unprofessional behavior toward paying customers, and at worst they leave this organization open to the charge that its has a homophobe wearing its uniform.
In his apology, McDowell expressed his regret for responding “to the heckling fans” but offered no clue as to what bit of heckling might have served as a trigger. But what could anyone have said to warrant the sort of response the Quinns maintain McDowell offered?
Selig, the commissioner of baseball, released a statement saying “the allegations are very troubling to me.” Also, and ominously, he said: “After I have all the facts, I will make a determination of how to proceed.”
McDowell is alleged to have said: “Kids don’t belong at the [censored] ballpark.” That alone would be enough to make Selig spit out his soda. Hasn’t baseball spent the past century positioning itself as the game for families?
McDowell has done well in following the illustrious Leo Mazzone, and he’s considered a major asset by the Braves. That status is in peril. If these allegations are found to have merit, McDowell will be lucky to keep his job.
By Mark Bradley
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351 comments Add your comment
Wiggins
April 28th, 2011
11:20 am
McD just happens tho be a member of the only remaining group that … Oh, well just glad I’m not having to dodge all these rocks being thrown by people living in glass houses.
pittman
April 28th, 2011
11:21 am
my take on the situation three mid 20s dudes came up (probably looking “flamboyant”) and were messing with roger all in good fun probably had been drinking some(the guys) before and roger was making some funny while inappropriate comment and some “overprotective dad” that probobly goes to baseball games by himself with a 3:16 sign when his family doesnt come and yelled theres kids around and mcdowell said a joke about going all roid rage on him like it was 2003
pittman
April 28th, 2011
11:22 am
2003….bonds….broke hanks record….
SawThat1nce
April 28th, 2011
11:25 am
Did anyone see the TMZ clip with Gloria A. and the family. Gloria describes the act as lewd, and then proceeds to demonstrate the offense behavior, by reinacting it with the Dad, right there with the daughters present.
Gordon
April 28th, 2011
11:27 am
What McDowell did was wrong, period. But it makes me sick to look at that picture and see that guy acting like he has been injured in some way. They want some money, period.
BraveMan
April 28th, 2011
11:27 am
It is impossible to police an individual’s personal opinions, no matter how reprehensible, but if reports are true as to McDowell’s behavior in front of families and children, it cannot be tolerated by the Braves as his employer. If it’s true, he should go.
pittman
April 28th, 2011
11:28 am
ps i want greg maddux for pitching coach dude is the smartest baseball player ever. i remember hearing two stories of him.First one was he was pitching for us one game and i think someone on the phillies was up glanville or something and he told Giles to move three steps to first and on the next pitch a weak line drive landed in his glove like he was smalls with his eyes closed. The other story was when he went back to the cubs and and was resting one game and told the starting pitcher how to pitch(i dont rememeber who it was but i do remember the pitcher was not very good) for the inning and the guy recorded three outs in 5 pitches with nothing getting out the infield and the pitcher afterwards said that he was amazed that maddux knew his pitches better than him
screwbaseball
April 28th, 2011
11:28 am
That is not a “pathetic” family. The guy is good as any of you jerks talking about him and his family is good as well. He doesn’t “need” money. He is a hard ass worker and student as well. Fits more into a 24 hour day than most fit into a 3 day week. Baseball is a pathetic sport and a former national past time. Most people do not care anymore about it.
SawThat1nce
April 28th, 2011
11:30 am
The bottom line for MLB, is that you don’t threaten paying customers with phyical violence, and tell them that they don’t belong in your buisness establishment.
harvey milked
April 28th, 2011
11:32 am
Nothing could possibly be as reprehensible as willingly having your picture taken with Gloria Allred.
SawThat1nce
April 28th, 2011
11:34 am
If they release McD, the Braves would be extremely lucky to get Greg Maddux for a pitching coach.
I don’t even think that Maddux would consider it. Glavine would be good also.
jeff
April 28th, 2011
11:44 am
what a pile— its words— anytime gloria allredd is involved you have to suspect– what a hyper sensitive bunch— what kind of scum would parade their kids out there—- oh — i forgot– anything to get a settlement–
datominator
April 28th, 2011
11:44 am
People are quick to call for his ouster – his conduct as portrayed by Gloria Allred and the fans who are complaining certainly sounds reprehensible, but how about we wait until he is able to give his side of the story before we decide he needs to go? And, even at that point, is there no room for redemption? What about probation and the opportunity to redeem himself – isn’t this the country of second chances?
jeff
April 28th, 2011
11:45 am
your an idiot screwball——-
ATL Sports Fan
April 28th, 2011
11:45 am
I want to know what was said to provoke McDowell. Funny to see the gentlemen said to watch his language. Have any of you ever sat close enough to the dugout? Being a former minor league baseball player, I can speak from expierence that fans do go a little too far with their heckling. The cursing of players is part of it. If you don’t want to hear it sit some where else.
ATL Sports Fan
April 28th, 2011
11:46 am
screwbaseball, you care enough about it to read the article and post something about it. People today are to sensative.
Joe T
April 28th, 2011
11:48 am
What is your problem Bradley! Who do you think you are? You become judge and jury over a situation like this that you were not present at and know only one side of the story! You call yourself a journalist? At least give Roger a chance to speak. People have no idea what comes out of the mouths of fans at professional ball games. The ability by pro athletes to let these verbal assaults go on a nightly basis is amazing to me. You have no idea what was said to Roger to make him go off. But that doesnt seem to matter to you. He is guilty by your estimation. How about being fair here. Didnt they teach you that in journalism school? Ridiculous article!
PIBrave
April 28th, 2011
11:51 am
Did you guys see the video? See how the twin on the left was trying hard not to laugh? I don’t think they were “traumatized” with that Roger “allegedly” said.
Anyway, want to hear Roger’s side as well..
acbwcmm
April 28th, 2011
11:56 am
homophobe – 99% of people aren’t even straight, so you that doesn’t make sense. Also, this is really about his gestures and words to this straight, white family. I’m not sure why the media is trying to portray it as a “gay slur’ issue.
Gen Neyland
April 28th, 2011
12:02 pm
The photo shot of Gloria ‘The Ambulance Chaser’ Allred with the stricken family looks more a scripted photograph since when Ms Allred touted the Women of Woods before the camera. It’s all about the buck else R. McD’s apology should suffice.
put me in coach
April 28th, 2011
12:11 pm
Really? Anti-gay slur is not the same as an anti-racial slur. These people need to get a life. What gives a fan the right to heckle the players/coaches while at the ball park? Fans can do this because they buy a ticket? Then when a player/coach responds they want to call “FOUL”. This is bull, if they fire Roger over this I will never watch another Braves game.
sogadog
April 28th, 2011
12:12 pm
Gloria Allred is a publicity hound and you cant believe any of her BS. She is the worst sort of attorney. She promotes herself at her client’s expense.
I believe the media, with Ms. Allred’s prodding, makes this a much bigger deal than it is. The guy was wrong to say the things he said, he should be punished, (not fired) and that should be the end of it. Ms Allred can go jump in a lake.
cantondawg
April 28th, 2011
12:14 pm
Completely unprofessional. I cannot believe that someone that’s been around the game as long as Mcdowell is not used to heckling. He should act like a professional and ignore it regardless of what is said. I don’t think he should be fired but at least he should be fined.
Also, it’s obvious that it’s a publicity stunt by Gloria Allred and no way would i pay the family.
Hayseed Dixie
April 28th, 2011
12:16 pm
The media will latch onto the “homophobic” comments, whatever the hell that means.
But the real issue is that McDowell was mouthing off to some Dad because he said “Hey man, there are kids here.” Then he threatened them with a bat.
Sorry, but if that’s true, McDowell should be fired, no questions asked.
jeffrey d
April 28th, 2011
12:16 pm
First of all, I’d really like to hear the WHOLE story. McDowell’s been in professional baseball – and opposing fans – for almost 30 years. Now all of a sudden he turns into a heartless and child-hating beast? Something doesn’t add up.
Second, I think the gay slurs is just a case of boys being boys. I hear guys saying it everywhere.
Fans: Hey McDowell, you STINK!
McDowell: Oh yeah? You guys are SO gay!
This is something I think should not be taken out of context.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 28th, 2011
12:17 pm
From that photo it looks like McDowell also ran over their dog on the way out of the stadium.
jeffrey d
April 28th, 2011
12:20 pm
And please, that picture is ridiculous. It looks like McDowell mutilated the family dog in front of the girls, then ran over their grandma.
If I held a press conference every time I heard a gay slur or the F word at a baseball game, well….I’d be having a lot of press conferences.
If it’s true, I’m not condoning Roger’s behavior. I just think there’s a lot more to the story.
Sven Ottke
April 28th, 2011
12:20 pm
Love the picture prop. Gloria is a joke and you people condemning him for “what he said,” have no clue what he said. Let the Braves handle it the way they want to.
Hayseed Dixie
April 28th, 2011
12:21 pm
And while it’s true that San Franscisco fans have one of the biggest karmic debts in sports history for being the most P.C. city in the freakin’ country YET cheering for Barry Bonds (what a farce)…
…McDowell should handle hecklers like a man.
Yeah, that whole “ignore them” thing your parents told you is a pain in the butt sometimes, but if you’re not possessed of a Mark Twain-class wit: it’s the only thing that works.
Escaped from Email Purgatory
April 28th, 2011
12:21 pm
Shame on Roger McDowell.
The bullpen ain’t an extension of the locker room. And a representative of MLB and the Atlanta Braves ought not be exchanging vulgarities with paying customers in the presence of their minor children.
Having said that, pardon my cynicism about this incident. Lets start with the meticulously staged photo atop this blog – Gloria Allred and the injured parties. Love the prayerful pose of the daughter on the right, by the way.
Allred is the instant advocate of every victim of so much as a mosquito bite inflicted by political incorrectness. Notable former clients include OctoMom and the bimbo who was schtupping Scott Petersen when he murdered his wife, Lacy.
And forgive me, but if these folks are residents of SF, they probably see more debauchery on a Wednesday afternoon than I can find surfing porn sites on the internet 24/7 for a month of Sundays.
Shoot-fire, San Francisco has a Lesbian, Gay Bisexual Transgendered Mardi Gras on a weekly basis. Not to mention the passel of clothes-optional public events (triathons, bike races, car washes, etc) of which San Franciscans are so enamored.
It seems to me, that unless these folks are from Barstow, I’d expect they’ve probably become quite jaded by it all.
It would be nice to think this incident can be resolved without anybody losing their job (McDowell) or suffering permanent damage from trauma suffered by this heinous incident (the family).
Let’s hope a chastened McDowell can get back to coaching Braves pitchers and mom, dad and the kids can get on with their lives no worse for the wear.
No doubt the girls are looking forward to watching Lady GaGa’s latest vid on MTV.
Cynic
April 28th, 2011
12:23 pm
This in no way represents the Braves organization and the conduct we expects of our employees? An organization that daily denigrates a whole race of people with a meaningless chant and a ridiculous tomahawk chop? Turner Field daily hosts an orgy of racism and insensitivity and you call it good clean fun. Why wouldn’t your ball players act like John Rocker and McDowell? Oddly, I find myself supporting Mc Dowell. The Braves are hypocrites if they don’t. My opinion, sports fans!
jeffrey d
April 28th, 2011
12:24 pm
And that photo is ridiculous. From the look of them, it looks like McDowell mutilated the family dog in front of the girls, then ran over their grandma. Seriously….was this really a matter to call a press conference and bring your whole family, and then look as somber as they are? If I threw a press conference every time I heard a gay slur or the F word at a baseball game, then I’d be throwing a bunch of press conferences.
And if true, I’m not condoning Roger’s behavior. I just think there’s a lot more to the story than buddy minding his own business, then Roger to go on an expletive laden tirade, followed by threatening him with a bat.
Happy to stay at home...
April 28th, 2011
12:24 pm
I don’t care what he said, did, thought, etc. I’m not taking my $200 to the park to watch a bunch on nonsense anyway. Talk about sticking your foot in your mouth, talk about stupidity, talk about PR problems for “America’s Past-time”, good bye Roger.
SawThat1nce
April 28th, 2011
12:24 pm
Watch the TMZ clip of Allred and the family, it’s at Yahoo Sport – MLB.
vafalconfan
April 28th, 2011
12:24 pm
Calling yourself “gay” and being born black or a minirity is NOT THE SAME THING! What kind of society have we become?..If you’re a man and you want to have intercourse with another man that does not give you rights to push your peverse lifestyle on anyone else. Only in Obama’s liberal America could this be happening. It’s shameful..you can fine a player or coach for this, but to fire this man?..come on!
Kathy
April 28th, 2011
12:24 pm
I think Huh??? hit it on the head, look at the staging going on in the picture of the family – bat on the table, little girl praying, Allred with a solemn “tsk tsk” look on her face. They’re probably just looking for a payday and hoping the Braves will settle out of court.
Maekchu
April 28th, 2011
12:25 pm
Something is fishy here. Who heckles a player or coach at a ballgame and then goes out and hires a big wig attorney in hopes of a payday? Sure, McDowell probably crossed the line in his response, but why isn’t anyone digging into this fishy family here? Only in America can someone get paid for spilling McDonald’s coffee on themselves or having a baseball coach that you provoked insult you. It’s ridiculous.
TU87
April 28th, 2011
12:27 pm
Roger – next time just make anti-christian comments and you won’t have to apologize.
Choppinmama
April 28th, 2011
12:32 pm
What is Allred doing in this scenario? Is she ready to sue McD for “assault on 9 yr old’s eardrums?”
The family should have gone to security, then made their complaint to Braves mgmt. No, now they have turned their family and more importantly, their young children, ubri bigger targets of hate speech and negative publicity. Good parenting decisions, Mr. and Mrs. Quinn.
MitchC
April 28th, 2011
12:32 pm
Mark, I see three problems here.
Problem one: The anti gay slur.. which is enough for serious disciplinary action right away. Behavior such as that shouldnt be tolerated in today’s world.
Problem two: The threatening of the fan. If Mcdowell did that in any other situation, say.. a social situation, on the street.. or working in an office.. he would likely be suspended or fired, and arrested for assault, and threats.
Problem three: That it took place in front of children. Many fans develop a love of the game from being exposed to it at the ballpark at a young age. In cant be controlled, if, say. a player curses out an ump during an on field argument.. but.. to do so directly at fans.. is inexcusable.
In reality, Mcdowell probably should lose his job. In any other work situation, he would have been gone already.
What else can really happen other than that? The Braves cant function without a pitching coach for a long period of time. What good would., say.. a 15 day suspension do? You cant suspend him for the rest of the season.. because, if you do that, you might as well fire him.
Analyzing all the facts, I would say he should probably be fired. My guess is that some severe action will be taken by Selig, the team.. or both.. but.. anything short of a firing.. would probably create backlash for the team.
Michael
April 28th, 2011
12:40 pm
Homophobia (a misnomer to begin with, this is not a “fear” which is what a phobia is) is not illegal. It’s not against the law to not like gays, or heteros for that matter. It’s not against the law to be racist — everyone maintains pre-disposed notions. What IS against the law, is threatening a person. If McDowell did that, he’s toast and deserves to be. But, it’s not unlawful or a firible offense to like or dislike anybody or their lifestyle. If this is about sensitivity to sexual preference sub-groups — it has no merit. If it is about threatening people with violence, then it is heinous.
Coach13
April 28th, 2011
12:42 pm
He’s done. Just plain stupid. I like the photo of the girl on the right with her hands up like she’s praying, nice touch.
I don’t condone what gays do but that doesn’t mean I’m going to make inappropriate gestures with a bat and yell slurs at them.
The only thing I’m confused about is what is this guy suing for? Because he was yelled at at a game?? Seriously?? Another man threatens to kick your butt and you sue?? What a pansy. What is the crime that was committed?
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
April 28th, 2011
12:42 pm
Don’t believe all this garbage….This is someone looking to rake in an easy buck….This guy has never done anything but be an outstanding coach, lets don’t throw him under the bus without finding out exactly what he said…..
RockyMtn Bravo
April 28th, 2011
12:43 pm
He who has never said something stupid or dumb please cast the first stone. Bottom line is this is some liberal west coast family looking to make a quick buck and get their 15 minutes of fame. Until the full story has put out there don’t be too quick to judge. Anyways what about freedom of speech???
wayn-o
April 28th, 2011
12:44 pm
ok first, that is very a stupid decision by McDowell, yes he should be punished. But in general terms, the games are not a place for kids, too many drunk angry fans, (not to mention cramped seats, insane humidity, over-priced food and absurd traffic that makes any saint pop off some profanity). And it really is a double standard because the all the fans can say what they want to the players, coaches & umpires, but heaven forbid they say something back. I’m not taking McDowells side, he’s a jerk. But come on with the P.C. bull. I thought this was America. What happened to freedom of speech?
Joseph
April 28th, 2011
12:47 pm
If McDowell is held responsible for this and dismissed from the Braves’ dugout. Then, the heckling fans should be held responsible for their heckling and be banned from attending MLB games.
artesian jacket
April 28th, 2011
12:49 pm
Would Mark’s sense of outrage be so acute, if it were anti Christian slurs? What if he had called these people “cracker rednecks”. Somehow, I doubt it.
Sid
April 28th, 2011
12:49 pm
Frankly, not enough info to weigh in at all. Hecklers are kind of like all those trolls on the blogs, you just have to ignore them.
Hey Marcel
April 28th, 2011
12:50 pm
Not enough info to weigh in at all.
Whitewater
April 28th, 2011
12:50 pm
Not only did he make crude and suggestive anti-gay comments; he threatened to bust out a mans teeth with a baseball bat in front of the mans wife and two young daughters. What about him saying children don’t belong at the “@#$^@” ballpark? Maybe they don’t belong at Dodger stadium with the thugs out to beat people up but they sure as hell belong at Pac Bell Park! I’d venture to say that hot head homophobe angry coaches don’t belong at the ball park. What a jerk.