Detroit Tigers announcer Jack Morris has apologised after receiving criticism for mocking the accent of Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani in Detroit’s game against the Angels on Tuesday night.
On the Bally Sports Detroit broadcast of the Angels' 8-2 win over the Tigers, with the Japanese man set to bat in the sixth innings with a runner on second and two outs, lead announcer Matt Shepard asked Morris: "Now what do you do with Shohei Ohtani?"
Morris responded by attempting to use an Asian accent and saying: "Be very, very careful."
The audio soon went viral on social media and was roundly criticised and Morris, who spent 14 years of his playing career with the Tigers, apologised live on air when Ohtani came to bat in the ninth innings.
"Well folks, Shohei Ohtani is coming to the plate and it’s been brought to my attention, and I sincerely apologise if I offended anybody, especially anybody in the Asian community for what I said about pitching and being careful to Shohei Ohtani," said the 66-year-old.
“I did not intend for any offensive thing and I apologise if I did. I certainly have the utmost respect for this guy and don’t blame a pitcher for walking him.”
Morris cemented iconic status in Major League Baseball by winning four World Series as a pitcher with the Tigers, Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
However, his apology didn't appease everyone, with legendary American sports commentator and journalist Keith Olbermann labelling the explanation "pathetic."
Olbermann, 62, vented his anger on social media as he wrote: "Jack Morris does some kind of mocking Asian accent while describing Ohtani and issues a pathetic "sorry if you were offended" non-apology apology."
Reuters News journalist Vincent Lee added: "I'm sorry if I offended anyone is not an apology."
Ohtani, whose yet to publicly comment on the incident, signed for the Angels after the 2017 season and promptly became a cult hero there by winning the 2018 American Rookie of the Year Award. He currently earns an estimated MLB league-leading $6 million in annual endorsement deals
This season, he's the current MVP frontrunner as the major league leader in home runs, with 39 for the season.
On Tuesday, the 27-year-old went 1-for-3 with three walks and a run scored as his side secured victory.
.jpg?w=600)
