Jack Morris apologizes for comments about Shohei Ohtani

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Jack Morris is apologizing for remarks he made about Los Angeles Angels star player Shohei Ohtani during a broadcast, USA Today reported.

Morris used a tone mocking English-speaking Asian people while offering commentary on the Tigers-Angels game and answering a question from Tigers play-by-play analyst Matt Shepard, who had asked about the strategy a pitcher would use to face Ohtani, who leads the league in home runs.

“Be very, very careful,” Morris said, using the mocking tone.

Ohtani is Japanese and the first star in generations to both pitch and hit as an everyday player in MLB.

Morris issued an apology to Ohtani and the viewers watching during the ninth inning, according to USA Today. 

Jack Morris apologies before Shohei Otani’s at-bat in the ninth inning. pic.twitter.com/WdCjfyfSvX

— Spencer Wheelock (@SpencerWheelock) August 18, 2021

“It’s been brought to my attention, and I sincerely apologize if I offended anybody, especially anybody in the Asian community, for what I said about pitching and being careful to Shohei Ohtani,” Morris said.

“I did not intend for any offensive thing and I apologize if I did. I certainly respect and have the utmost respect for this guy.”

Another analyst, Bob Brenly, who handles Arizona Diamondbacks games, took a voluntary leave of absence after remarks with racist undertones about New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman’s clothing during a game in June. 

Ohtani was the center of controversy in July after ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith questioned his stardom since he has to use an interpreter to talk to the media.