Arizona Diamondbacks television analyst Bob Brenly said on Thursday that he will take a voluntary leave of absence from Bally Sports Arizona while he takes sensitivity training following his comment earlier this week about Marcus Stroman, which the New York Mets pitcher said had “racist undertones.”
“I want to apologize again for my insensitive reference on Wednesday, as it does not reflect my values or who I am,” Brenly said as part of a statement given to multiple media outlets. “Beginning today, I have voluntarily decided to take some time off to listen, reflect and devote my attention to awareness training related to diversity and inclusion to enhance my understanding and appreciation of others. I plan to return to the booth next homestand, hopefully a better person.”
Arizona Diamondbacks analyst Bob Brenly taking voluntary leave of absence, to undergo sensitivity training after comment
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D-backs pitcher expresses disappointment about announcer’s insensitive comment (3:54)
Arizona Diamondbacks television analyst Bob Brenly said on Thursday that he will take a voluntary leave of absence from Bally Sports Arizona while he takes sensitivity training following his comment earlier this week about Marcus Stroman, which the New York Mets pitcher said had “racist undertones.”
“I want to apologize again for my insensitive reference on Wednesday, as it does not reflect my values or who I am,” Brenly said as part of a statement given to multiple media outlets. “Beginning today, I have voluntarily decided to take some time off to listen, reflect and devote my attention to awareness training related to diversity and inclusion to enhance my understanding and appreciation of others. I plan to return to the booth next homestand, hopefully a better performance
Brenly sorry for ‘insensitive’ Stroman comment
The Diamondbacks’ next home game is June 11 vs. the Los Angeles Angels.
Brenly made what he later called an “insensitive” comment during Tuesday’s broadcast about the head covering worn by Stroman, who is Black and has been outspoken on issues concerning race and social justice.
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“Pretty sure that’s the same do-rag that Tom Seaver used to wear when he pitched for the Mets,” Brenly said during the telecast. After the game, Stroman tweeted, “Onward and upward…through all adversity and racist undertones. The climb continues through all!”
Brenly issued an apology via social media on Wednesday, saying “I made a poor attempt at humor that was insensitive and wrong.”
Diamondbacks pitcher Jon Duplantier, who also is Black, said he found Brenly’s comment about Stroman disappointing.
“The most disappointing part is that, though there has been a ton of progress and work done so that I, Marcus and other guys that look like me can show up as authentically as ourselves and be ourselves in a big stage, comments like the one that was made, they put us back,” Duplantier said after Arizona’s loss Thursday night in Milwaukee. “They put that progress back.