Science Cowherd no longer on ESPN air after comments about Dominicans - Page 5

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.

**notorious** · 07-25-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

Dan LeBetard stuck up for Colin on his show

They are buddies, and LeBetard pushes the line, too.

He might be the only show worth listening to on ESPN now that SVP and Cowherd are gone. Rusillo is okay, but the rest is kind of shitty.

BWillie · 07-25-2015, 09:32 AM

I dont necessarily like Cowherd but I really dont see what he said that was so offensive. He didnt say it very eloquently and I dont really agree with his point. All he was trying to day is that the educational systems where many latin players come from is lacking.

His point is entirely flawed because you can be really smart, good at problem solving and critical thinking and still not be well educated

BWillie · 07-25-2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdog

Does anyone actually think you have to be a scholar to be good at sports? I am very good at my job but can't fix shit to save my life. These athletes are very good at their job but can't tell me the grammar that makes up their language. Does it matter?

It does not. I agree

Sensual Lardass · 07-25-2015, 09:36 AM

He could put on a wig and dress, call himself Stephanie and be back in their good graces before you can say Courage Award.

**Dave Lane** · 07-25-2015, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

I thought he was leaving anyways, going to Fox or something?

That would make perfect sense.

**Buehler445** · 07-25-2015, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

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.

He didn't get fired. He was on a few days before and told the audience that he didn't renew his contract because he didn't want to get stale.

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Listen to the show. It was obvious that Friday was his last day.

ESPN did what they do: create a "story" out of nothing to boost ratings.

That may be unfortunately correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

They are buddies, and LeBetard pushes the line, too.

He might be the only show worth listening to on ESPN now that SVP and Cowherd are gone. Rusillo is okay, but the rest is kind of shitty.

Really? I hate LeBatard. They spend waaaay too much time talking about how stupid Stugatts and Greg Cody are and failing miserably to be funny. When they actually talk sports is usually good. But that usually degrades into dumbassery. In fact, they had the best segment on ESPN on Caitlin Jenner and then spent the next hour talking about how Stugatts can't talk. It made my brain hurt.

**notorious** · 07-25-2015, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buehler445

He didn't get fired. He was on a few days before and told the audience that he didn't renew his contract because he didn't want to get stale.

That may be unfortunately correct.

Really? I hate LeBatard. They spend waaaay too much time talking about how stupid Stugatts and Greg Cody are and failing miserably to be funny. When they actually talk sports is usually good. But that usually degrades into dumbassery. In fact, they had the best segment on ESPN on Caitlin Jenner and then spent the next hour talking about how Stugatts can't talk. It made my brain hurt.

It's the end of the day when they are on so I am happy. That might skew my perception.

Tombstone RJ · 07-25-2015, 10:00 AM

While I'm not of fan of Colin, I'm less of a fan of essssssssssssspn. espn is hot garbage.

Don Corlemahomes · 07-25-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sensual Lardass

He could put on a wig and dress, call himself Stephanie and be back in their good graces before you can say Courage Award.

An unorignal, fat Republican? Just what chiefsplanet needs.

Tombstone RJ · 07-25-2015, 10:13 AM

anyone watching the Pan Am games? Didn't think so...

Sensual Lardass · 07-25-2015, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunning Linguist

An unorignal, fat Republican? Just what chiefsplanet needs.

Don't get yourself all worked up Princess, I'm not on here much. I was so hoping that we could be buds though! Too bad.......

**Bugeater** · 07-25-2015, 10:32 AM

It's too bad he's leaving because he was the best thing we had on air here. Most of our sports radio is horrible local garbage.

**notorious** · 07-25-2015, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baconeater

It's too bad he's leaving because he was the best thing we had on air here. Most of our sports radio is horrible local garbage.

He will be back on Fox.

Hootie · 07-25-2015, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I dont necessarily like Cowherd but I really dont see what he said that was so offensive. He didnt say it very eloquently and I dont really agree with his point. All he was trying to day is that the educational systems where many latin players come from is lacking.

His point is entirely flawed because you can be really smart, good at problem solving and critical thinking and still not be well educated

This is a very good post and I was about to say the same thing.

Latin American players may not have great "book" smarts or paper educations ... but that doesn't mean they don't have great "street" smarts or excellent common sense.

Honestly, I'd rather be "street" smart than "book" smart any day. I know a lot of very "smart" people who can't make it in the every day world because they have no ****ing common sense whatsoever and can't interact with the rest of society.

This is where Colin's argument was flawed. But I'm still shocked that what he said, which was totally innocent, took this much flak. This society is a gaping pussy these days.

**Bugeater** · 07-25-2015, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

He will be back on Fox.

Sure but I have no idea if his show will be picked up locally here.

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

07-25-2015, 09:32 AM	#62
BWillie Future NBA Finals MVP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2271241	I dont necessarily like Cowherd but I really dont see what he said that was so offensive. He didnt say it very eloquently and I dont really agree with his point. All he was trying to day is that the educational systems where many latin players come from is lacking. His point is entirely flawed because you can be really smart, good at problem solving and critical thinking and still not be well educated __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
Posts: 46,180

07-25-2015, 09:36 AM	#64
Sensual Lardass Starter Join Date: Feb 2014 Casino cash: $3607764	He could put on a wig and dress, call himself Stephanie and be back in their good graces before you can say Courage Award.
Posts: 89

07-25-2015, 10:00 AM	#68
Tombstone RJ Broncos' Fan Extraordinaire! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver Casino cash: $10012184	While I'm not of fan of Colin, I'm less of a fan of essssssssssssspn. espn is hot garbage. __________________ ORANGE COLORED GLASSES ARE ALWAYS ON!
Posts: 6,151

07-25-2015, 10:13 AM	#70
Tombstone RJ Broncos' Fan Extraordinaire! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver Casino cash: $10012184	anyone watching the Pan Am games? Didn't think so... __________________ ORANGE COLORED GLASSES ARE ALWAYS ON!
Posts: 6,151

07-25-2015, 10:32 AM	#72
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	It's too bad he's leaving because he was the best thing we had on air here. Most of our sports radio is horrible local garbage.
Posts: 70,443