MLB reporter Alanna Rizzo took shots at fellow reporter on television. She's now issued a public apology.
Rizzo, who reports for MLB Network, was on the network's show "High Heat" alongside Chris Russo on Oct. 12 and started criticizing some reporters in the space.
"And then some jackoff comes in at the end of the season that gets a credential, God only knows why. And the clubhouse is a sacred space," Rizzo said.
"And then some jackoff comes in at the end of the season that gets a credential, God only knows why. And the clubhouse is a sacred space." Alanna Rizzo went off on Jake Mintz's clubhouse reporting on MLBN's "High Heat" Thursday. pic.twitter.com/6dooqeLPnh
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 12, 2023
Related: MLB team reportedly suspends announcer for truthful comments about team's past losses
Rizzo was referencing Jake Mintz from Fox Sports, who wrote a story after Game 2 of the Atlanta Braves win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday where he talked about additional trash talk that the Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia threw at Phillies star Bryce Harper.
Harper got his revenge during the Phillies' Game 3 win on Oct. 11, but Mintz drew criticism from Atlanta players and media members for writing the moment he witnessed in Game 2. Rizzo was one of the loudest critics because of her platform.
But maybe media members have come in support of Mintz, including the Baseball Writer's Association which released a statement on Oct. 13.
"For the record, Jake is a BBWAA member in good standing and has earned the right to be credentialed through his hard work and quality baseball coverage. To assert otherwise, in vulgar terms, is both unprofessional and unacceptable. The BBWAA is deeply troubled that the league's own network would permit the disparaging of one of our members in this fashion," the statement read in part.
Statement from the BBWAA pic.twitter.com/X6ThJPk6CK
— BBWAA (@officialBBWAA) October 13, 2023
Related: Fox Sports Reportedly Taking MLB Legend Away From ESPN Broadcast With Exclusive Deal
Rizzo then returned to the same show on Oct. 13 and said her public apology to both Mintz and the BBWAA.
"I wanted to give a very heartfelt apology to Jake Mintz and the entire BBWAA. What I said yesterday about Jake was completely inappropriate, it was inaccurate, and it was beyond unprofessional. I got caught up in the heat of the moment," Rizzo said.
Rizzo also mentioned that she apologized to Mintz privately.
Alanna Rizzo gave "a very heartfelt apology to Jake Mintz and the entire BBWAA" pic.twitter.com/rT9tjSWLY3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 13, 2023
Get exclusive access to portfolio managers and their proven investing strategies with Real Money Pro. Get started now.
