During Tuesday's game between the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels, Tigers broadcaster Jack Morris apologized for using an offensive accent when Angels slugger Shohei Ohtani came up to bat in the sixth inning. Morris said that he "did not intend for any offensive thing."
In the sixth inning, the game was tied at 2-2 with two outs when Ohtani stepped into the batter's box. Bally Sports Detroit play-by-play announcer Matt Shepard posted the question "now what do you do with Shohei Ohtani?"
Morris responded by saying, with a fake accent, "Be very, very careful." Ohtani ended up being intentionally walked on the play.
When Ohtani came up to bat in the ninth inning, Morris issued the following apology:
"Well folks, Shohei Ohtani is coming to the plate and 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. 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 and don't blame a pitcher for walking him."
Morris, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, is currently in his third season serving as a television analyst on the Tigers television broadcasts. The 66-year old was a pitcher for the Tigers from 1977 to 1990.
