Science Cowherd no longer on ESPN air after comments about Dominicans - Page 3

Eleazar · 07-24-2015, 05:42 PM

Colin Cowherd no longer on ESPN air after comments about Dominicans

Radio host Colin Cowherd no longer will appear on ESPN following comments he made questioning the intelligence of Dominican Republic players related to baseball one day earlier, the company said in a statement Friday.

"Colin Cowherd's comments over the past two days do not reflect the values of ESPN or our employees," ESPN said in a statement. "Colin will no longer appear on ESPN."

Cowherd issued an apology later Friday via Twitter.

Cowherd had said Thursday that he didn't believe baseball was complex, saying a third of the sport was from the Dominican Republic, which had "not been known, in my lifetime, as having, you know, world-class academic abilities.''

Major League Baseball on Friday said Cowherd owes Dominican players an apology for the remarks, and the MLB Players Association also condemned his comments.

Earlier Friday, Cowherd addressed his remarks from Thursday during The Herd.

"I could've made the point without using one country, and there's all sorts of smart people from the Dominican Republic," Cowherd said. "I could've said a third of baseball's talent is being furnished from countries with economic hardships, therefore educational hurdles. For the record, I used the Dominican Republic because they've furnished baseball with so many great players."

Cowherd on Friday also cited reports and statistics to back up what he said about the country's ranking when it comes to primary education.

"I understand that when you mention a specific country, they get offended," Cowherd said. "I get it. I do. And for that, I feel bad. I do. But I have four reports in front of me ... where there are discussions of major deficiencies in the education sector at all levels. ... It wasn't a shot at them. It was data. Five, seven years ago I talked about the same subject. Was I clunky? Perhaps. Did people not like my tone? I get it. Sometimes my tone stinks.

"I think when you host a radio show, just like Jon Stewart hosts a show, I think sometimes I bring up stuff ... that makes people cringe. I'm not saying there's not intelligent, educated people from the Dominican Republic. I cringe at the data, too."

Major League Baseball issued its statement after Cowherd's show aired Friday.

"Major League Baseball condemns the remarks made by Colin Cowherd, which were inappropriate, offensive and completely inconsistent with the values of our game," it said. "Mr. Cowherd owes our players of Dominican origin, and Dominican people generally, an apology."

Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, also issued a statement in which he took issue with Cowherd's response Friday to his original comments.

"As a veteran of 15 MLB seasons, I can assure you that our sport is infinitely more complex than some in the media would have you believe," Clark said. "To suggest otherwise is ignorant, and to make an ignorant point by denigrating the intelligence of our Dominican members was not 'clunky' -- it was offensive.

"These recent comments are particularly disappointing when viewed against the backdrop of the important work being done to celebrate and improve the cultural diversity of our game. Baseball's partners and stakeholders should help such efforts, not undermine them."

There were 83 Dominican players on Opening Day rosters this year, representing about 10 percent of all players in the majors.

The flap stems from Cowherd's comments on Thursday, which were made while debating whether it was difficult for a front-office executive to take over managerial duties -- using current Miami Marlins general manager/manager Dan Jennings as an example.

"It's baseball," Cowherd said Thursday. "You don't think a general manager can manage? Like it's impossible? The game is too complex? I've never bought into that, 'Baseball's just too complex.' Really? A third of the sport is from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has not been known in my lifetime as having world-class academic abilities. A lot of those kids come from rough backgrounds and have not had opportunities academically that other kids from other countries have.

"Baseball is like any sport. It's mostly instincts. A sports writer who covers baseball could go up to Tony La Russa and have a real baseball argument, and Tony would listen and it would seem reasonable. There's not a single NFL writer in the country who could diagram a play for Bill Belichick. You know, we get caught up in this whole 'thinking-man's game.' Is it in the same family? Most people could do it. It's not being a concert pianist. It's in the same family."

Cowherd's comments drew the attention of Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, a native of the Dominican Republic who asked Cowherd via Twitter for further clarification concerning his remarks on Thursday.

Cowherd, who had been with ESPN for 12 years, announced earlier this week that he's leaving the company for another business opportunity.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

suzzer99 · 07-24-2015, 10:31 PM

Cowherd is so ****ing dumb.

seamonster · 07-24-2015, 10:34 PM

I agree with Cowherd. It's weird how a stat's based "thinking man's" game fields a majority of it's athletes with the education of huckelberry fin or some shit. I'd honestly be surprised if 1/3 of baseball players even knew who huckleberry fin was or could describe what the standard deviation of a set of data means. very ironic. Doesn't mean that baseball isn't still a game of numbers and precision but it speaks to the reality of third world athletes.

**alanm** · 07-24-2015, 10:58 PM

I swear the men working for the media on the east and west coast are the biggest ****ing pansies being led around by women with their balls in a purse.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-24-2015, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

Cowherd is fantastic. Hamas would probably be better but Hamas is great at everything

Given you two have the exact same argumentative style (invent a false narrative and throw shit at the wall), it's not surprising you'd fawn over him.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 07-24-2015, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonster

I agree with Cowherd. It's weird how a stat's based "thinking man's" game fields a majority of it's athletes with the education of huckelberry fin or some shit. I'd honestly be surprised if 1/3 of baseball players even knew who huckleberry fin was or could describe what the standard deviation of a set of data means. very ironic. Doesn't mean that baseball isn't still a game of numbers and precision but it speaks to the reality of third world athletes.

His general premise can be right and he can still present it like a ****ing moron. It happens on here every day.

**Bufkin** · 07-25-2015, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

People are so ****ing sensitive lmao. Is what he said not true?

That's the great part. Everything he said is 110 percent true.

Superbowltrashcan · 07-25-2015, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamonster

I agree with Cowherd. It's weird how a stat's based "thinking man's" game fields a majority of it's athletes with the education of huckelberry fin or some shit. I'd honestly be surprised if 1/3 of baseball players even knew who huckleberry fin was or could describe what the standard deviation of a set of data means. very ironic. Doesn't mean that baseball isn't still a game of numbers and precision but it speaks to the reality of third world athletes.

So what percentage of baseball players do you suppose can correctly spell "Huckelberry Fin"?

**wazu** · 07-25-2015, 12:40 AM

Major overreaction to this. You have to want to believe he is a racist to walk away being offended. And I'm sure many want to believe that so it was a feeding frenzy.

listopencil · 07-25-2015, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazu

Major overreaction to this. You have to want to believe he is a racist to walk away being offended. And I'm sure many want to believe that so it was a feeding frenzy.

Meh. He's a mediocre (at best) talking head that was supported by a shitty network.

**wazu** · 07-25-2015, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

Meh. He's a mediocre (at best) talking head that was supported by a shitty network.

Agreed. That doesn't make him a bigot, though. Fire him cause people don't tune in, not for some farcical interpretation of his comments.

vailpass · 07-25-2015, 01:10 AM

Dude's made bank over taking outrageous controversial positions which generate huge responses which lead to sponsor $, engaging in faux dialectic with those that disagree and laughing internally at those who agree with positions he doesn't actually support. I'm not a fan but I doff my fedora...

**ChiTown** · 07-25-2015, 01:18 AM

When you are a douche bag and constantly make douche bag comments, you're eventually gonna get canned. He was already on borrowed time, IMO.

suzzer99 · 07-25-2015, 01:44 AM

Are there really people at Chiefsplanet who think Cowherd is anything other than an old school moron? The guy doesn't believe in stats ffs.

WhitiE · 07-25-2015, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Mike and Mike is by far the worst and most annoying thing I've ever heard in my life. I'd rather watch Michael Moore give Rush Limbaugh a blowjob while fingering Bill O'Reilly's asshole than listen to 15 seconds of those douchebag blowhards' fake arguments. Seriously **** those guys.

I used to watch/listen, I cant do it anymore.

**Gonzo** · 07-25-2015, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Mike and Mike is by far the worst and most annoying thing I've ever heard in my life. I'd rather watch Michael Moore give Rush Limbaugh a blowjob while fingering Bill O'Reilly's asshole than listen to 15 seconds of those douchebag blowhards' fake arguments. Seriously **** those guys.

****ing this...

I hate Mike and Mike. As a matter of fact, all sports radio is shit now but M&M is the worst. Commercials every 10 minutes for **** sake. Fake, scripted arguments. Drives me nuts and all they talk about are the ****ing Patriots and Jets.

07-24-2015, 05:42 PM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Cowherd no longer on ESPN air after comments about Dominicans Colin Cowherd no longer on ESPN air after comments about Dominicans Radio host Colin Cowherd no longer will appear on ESPN following comments he made questioning the intelligence of Dominican Republic players related to baseball one day earlier, the company said in a statement Friday. "Colin Cowherd's comments over the past two days do not reflect the values of ESPN or our employees," ESPN said in a statement. "Colin will no longer appear on ESPN." Cowherd issued an apology later Friday via Twitter. Cowherd had said Thursday that he didn't believe baseball was complex, saying a third of the sport was from the Dominican Republic, which had "not been known, in my lifetime, as having, you know, world-class academic abilities.'' Major League Baseball on Friday said Cowherd owes Dominican players an apology for the remarks, and the MLB Players Association also condemned his comments. Earlier Friday, Cowherd addressed his remarks from Thursday during The Herd. "I could've made the point without using one country, and there's all sorts of smart people from the Dominican Republic," Cowherd said. "I could've said a third of baseball's talent is being furnished from countries with economic hardships, therefore educational hurdles. For the record, I used the Dominican Republic because they've furnished baseball with so many great players." Cowherd on Friday also cited reports and statistics to back up what he said about the country's ranking when it comes to primary education. "I understand that when you mention a specific country, they get offended," Cowherd said. "I get it. I do. And for that, I feel bad. I do. But I have four reports in front of me ... where there are discussions of major deficiencies in the education sector at all levels. ... It wasn't a shot at them. It was data. Five, seven years ago I talked about the same subject. Was I clunky? Perhaps. Did people not like my tone? I get it. Sometimes my tone stinks. "I think when you host a radio show, just like Jon Stewart hosts a show, I think sometimes I bring up stuff ... that makes people cringe. I'm not saying there's not intelligent, educated people from the Dominican Republic. I cringe at the data, too." Major League Baseball issued its statement after Cowherd's show aired Friday. "Major League Baseball condemns the remarks made by Colin Cowherd, which were inappropriate, offensive and completely inconsistent with the values of our game," it said. "Mr. Cowherd owes our players of Dominican origin, and Dominican people generally, an apology." Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, also issued a statement in which he took issue with Cowherd's response Friday to his original comments. "As a veteran of 15 MLB seasons, I can assure you that our sport is infinitely more complex than some in the media would have you believe," Clark said. "To suggest otherwise is ignorant, and to make an ignorant point by denigrating the intelligence of our Dominican members was not 'clunky' -- it was offensive. "These recent comments are particularly disappointing when viewed against the backdrop of the important work being done to celebrate and improve the cultural diversity of our game. Baseball's partners and stakeholders should help such efforts, not undermine them." There were 83 Dominican players on Opening Day rosters this year, representing about 10 percent of all players in the majors. The flap stems from Cowherd's comments on Thursday, which were made while debating whether it was difficult for a front-office executive to take over managerial duties -- using current Miami Marlins general manager/manager Dan Jennings as an example. "It's baseball," Cowherd said Thursday. "You don't think a general manager can manage? Like it's impossible? The game is too complex? I've never bought into that, 'Baseball's just too complex.' Really? A third of the sport is from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has not been known in my lifetime as having world-class academic abilities. A lot of those kids come from rough backgrounds and have not had opportunities academically that other kids from other countries have. "Baseball is like any sport. It's mostly instincts. A sports writer who covers baseball could go up to Tony La Russa and have a real baseball argument, and Tony would listen and it would seem reasonable. There's not a single NFL writer in the country who could diagram a play for Bill Belichick. You know, we get caught up in this whole 'thinking-man's game.' Is it in the same family? Most people could do it. It's not being a concert pianist. It's in the same family." Cowherd's comments drew the attention of Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, a native of the Dominican Republic who asked Cowherd via Twitter for further clarification concerning his remarks on Thursday. Cowherd, who had been with ESPN for 12 years, announced earlier this week that he's leaving the company for another business opportunity. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Posts: 80,659

07-24-2015, 10:31 PM	#31
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2944284	Cowherd is so ****ing dumb.
Posts: 27,269

07-24-2015, 10:34 PM	#32
seamonster Veteran Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $5975409	I agree with Cowherd. It's weird how a stat's based "thinking man's" game fields a majority of it's athletes with the education of huckelberry fin or some shit. I'd honestly be surprised if 1/3 of baseball players even knew who huckleberry fin was or could describe what the standard deviation of a set of data means. very ironic. Doesn't mean that baseball isn't still a game of numbers and precision but it speaks to the reality of third world athletes.
Posts: 3,788

07-24-2015, 10:58 PM	#33
alanm Feeling Victorian Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Nebraska/Wyoming/Colorado Casino cash: $1816436	I swear the men working for the media on the east and west coast are the biggest **ing pansies being led around by women with their balls in a purse. __________________ It bears repeating, Herm, Pioli, Haley, and Crennel for ing up my franchise for a goddamn decade. Buehler 445**
Posts: 33,619

07-25-2015, 12:40 AM	#38
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $2182295 VARSITY	Major overreaction to this. You have to want to believe he is a racist to walk away being offended. And I'm sure many want to believe that so it was a feeding frenzy.
Posts: 27,787

07-25-2015, 01:10 AM	#41
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	Dude's made bank over taking outrageous controversial positions which generate huge responses which lead to sponsor $, engaging in faux dialectic with those that disagree and laughing internally at those who agree with positions he doesn't actually support. I'm not a fan but I doff my fedora... __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591

07-25-2015, 01:18 AM	#42
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas Casino cash: $3273962	When you are a douche bag and constantly make douche bag comments, you're eventually gonna get canned. He was already on borrowed time, IMO. __________________
Posts: 39,341

07-25-2015, 01:44 AM	#43
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2944284	Are there really people at Chiefsplanet who think Cowherd is anything other than an old school moron? The guy doesn't believe in stats ffs.
Posts: 27,269