You would think that after the NFL’s Richie Incognito incident, that athletes would learn.
Apparently not.
New York Met pitching coach Dan Warthen has issued an apology for using the slur Chinaman in the team’s locker room, reports the Wall Street Journal.
The slur was directed at Jeff Cutler, a 30-year old Japanese American who serves as the interpreter for pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka(pictured left) who is from Japan.
Reporter Stu Woo, a 27-year old Chinese American, was in the locker room talking with Cutler when Warthen first apologized.
“I’m sorry I called you a ‘Chinaman’ yesterday,” Warthen told Cutler.
“It’s OK,” Cutler replied.
“I didn’t mean to insinuate –- I know you’re not Chinese,” Warthen said. “I thought it was a pretty good joke, though.”
“It was,” Cutler said.
Cutler would later tell Woo he was not offended by Warthen’s comment.
The next day, after canceling a scheduled meeting with Woo over the incident, the Mets issues the following statement from Warthen.
“I apologize for the thoughtless remarks that I made yesterday in the clubhouse. They were a poor attempt at humor but were wrong and inappropriate in any setting. I am very sorry.”
Met’s general manager Sandy Alderson added to the remarks.
“On behalf of the entire organization, I apologize for the insensitive remarks made by of one of our staff members. The remarks were offensive and inappropriate and the organization is very sorry,”
You can read Woo’s thoughts on the incident in the Wall Street Journal.