New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman said he would strive to persevere through “adversity and racist undertones” after Arizona broadcaster Bob Brenly made a racist joke on Tuesday about the do-rag under the player’s cap.
While Stroman pitched on the mound in the fourth inning against his opponent, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Brenly, who is a Diamondbacks announcer for Bally Sports Arizona, commented: “Pretty sure that’s the same do-rag that Tom Seaver used to wear when he pitched for the Mets.”
mannn… why? comes out of nowhere and gets smartly totally ignored by his partner. pic.twitter.com/q810Azt1WK
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) June 2, 2021
Brenly’s comment didn’t go unnoticed by the pitcher; Stroman came up with his head high in a post-game tweet and said, “Onward and upward…through all adversity and racist undertones. The climb continues through all!”
Onward and upward…through all adversity and racist undertones. The climb continues through all! 🗣
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 2, 2021
He also quoted a fan’s comment about the incident claiming that he couldn’t call the broadcaster’s remark “blatant racism,” as a fan tweeted, “because media will turn this against me somehow.”
Since I can’t say it because media will turn this against me somehow…🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/pF0931PXDp
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 2, 2021
That wasn’t the only fan who responded to the racist comments. Fans came raging to Stroman’s defense about the issue on Twitter.
Late to this because I was covering Yanks game last night, but Marcus Stroman has every right be offended by Bob Brenly’s durag comment last night. I just heard for first time and it’s pretty shocking. It’s hard to defend our industry to a player who has to hear that.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) June 2, 2021
Bob Brenly’s attempted joke about Marcus Stroman’s durag is subtle racism, but it is still racism. Why?
It plays off of a stereotype, and stereotypes are grounded in various forms of racism. I trust I don’t need to give examples of this.
— James Venes (@jamesvenes) June 2, 2021
Bob Brenly’s out of line comment last night about @STR0 was absolutely ridiculous but unfortunately totally unsurprising https://t.co/6CisbnunxA
— Danny Abriano (@DannyAbriano) June 2, 2021
I’m so tired of people equating things like durag and dreads with being unprofessional. Marcus Stroman is one of the best pitchers, he’s kind and giving and somehow people always make racist comments about him.
— Daniela Marulanda (@dani_phantom10) June 2, 2021
Luis E. Rojas, baseball manager for the Mets, also came to Stroman’s defense after hearing Brenly’s comments.
Luis Rojas on Bob Brenly’s comments about Marcus Stroman’s durag:
“It’s completely inappropriate. I was very disappointed when I heard it. If it was a joke, I didn’t get it. That will not help the baseball crowd grow in this game” pic.twitter.com/Y3c9htfhnh
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 2, 2021
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According to the Associated Press, Brenly issued a statement through the Diamondbacks apologizing to Stroman.
“During last night’s game, I made a poor attempt at humor that was insensitive and wrong,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
“I apologize to Marcus Stroman and have reached out directly to share those thoughts. I have had several conversations with the D-backs, and we agree that seeking sensitivity training is an important step so that I can continue to learn from my mistakes in order to be better in the future.”
