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sports Diasabra 4 Juni 2022

Broadcaster Kaat uses offensive nickname for Yankees’ Cortes

DETROIT (AP) — Min- Nestor” by Yankees fans
nesota Twins broadcaster while going 5-1 with a 1.50
Jim Kaat referred to New ERA to begin this season. He
York Yankees left-hander pitched seven scoreless in-
Nestor Cortes as “Nestor nings to beat the Angels in
the Molester” during a the first game.
broadcast Thursday, the Kaat, a longtime commenta-
second offensive remark tor who has also worked for
in the past year by the the Yankees and MLB Net-
83-year-old Hall of Fame work, apologized in October
pitcher while calling a after saying teams should try
game. to “get a 40-acre field full of”
players who look like White
As Minnesota’s Chris Ar- Sox infielder Yoán Moncada.
cher struck out Detroit star His comment about Monca-
Miguel Cabrera, Kaat began da reminded some viewers of
to explain that Cortes had the unfilled promise by the
become one of his favorite U.S. government that freed
pitchers during a breakout slaves would receive 40 acres
season with New York. and a mule following the
“’Nestor the Molester,’ Civil War. He apologized lat-
Nestor Cortes,” Kaat said. er in that game between the
“Angles and different speeds. Astros and White Sox.
He’s a pitcher.” “Earlier in the game when
Twins vice president of com- Yoán Moncada was at the
munications and content ternally and privately,” Morse day-night doubleheader from didn’t offend me at all,” Cor- plate, in an attempt to com-
Dustin Morse spoke with said. Kaat planned to contact the Los Angeles Angels, Cor- tes told The Associated Press. pliment the great player that
Kaat after the broadcast about Cortes directly and speak tes said he had heard about “So, you know, I don’t really he is, I used a poor choice
the comment. with the pitcher about the Kaat’s comment. have anything more than just of words that resulted in an
“Obviously, we take these situation. “Jim meant no ill “I’m sure, you know, he that, honestly,” he said. insensitive and hurtful re-
matters seriously and like in will,” Morse said. didn’t really mean it, and Cortes has affectionately mark,” he said. “And I’m sor-
all cases will handle this in- After the Yankees swept a people make mistakes, but it become known as “Nasty ry for that.”

Joe Girardi fired by Phillies, replaced by

Rob Thomson

PHILADELPHIA (AP) that,” president of baseball be fixed and changed,” Dom-
— Joe Girardi managed operations Dave Dombrows- browski said. “I think we al-
a Phillies team with the ki said. ready started some of those
reigning NL MVP, five Girardi’s first year with Phil- changes this winter time
2021 All-Stars, a $224 mil- adelphia was the pandemic- when we made some changes
lion payroll that nudged shortened 2020 season. The within our system, our orga-
the franchise above the Phillies went 82-80 last year nization, a lot of changes, but
luxury tax and expecta- and he ends his tenure with those things don’t show up
tions of ending the longest a 132-141 record. Girardi overnight.”
playoff drought in the Na- managed the New York Yan- Harper has been plagued
tional League. kees from 2008-17 and the most of the season with right
Florida Marlins in 2006. forearm and elbow soreness cost us four or five games, to work and turning this
Buried deep in the NL East The Phillies have lost 12 of and was forced to give up maybe even more,” Girardi around,” he said.
standings, and with a sagging 17 games heading into the right field and play designated said. Girardi said last week His first game is against an
bullpen, defensive deficien- opener of Friday’s three- hitter. Second baseman Jean the season was “frustrating” Angels team that has lost
cies and slumbering starts game series against the Los Segura is out for up to three but he was not concerned eight straight games overall
from some of their high- Angeles Angels. months with a fractured right about losing his job. Girardi, and six straight on the road.
priced veterans, Girardi paid “We underperformed and index finger. The Phillies are though, likely had to make “As a bench coach you’re
the price for Philadelphia’s that falls on me. This is what 12-15 at home and are 4-10 the playoffs this season after spending a whole lot of time
miserable start. He was fired happens,” Girardi told Siri- in one-run games. They are the Phillies declined to pick preparing for the other club
Friday, becoming the first usXM’s MLB Network Ra- 3-7 over their last 10 games. up his option for 2023. and probably not so much
major league manager to dio. “I think there’s more tal- “I think realistically we Philadelphia’s struggles go time in the clubhouse,”
lose his job this season after ent in that room than the way should have been 7-3. Well, well beyond Girardi. Gabe Thomson said. “I’m going
failing to turn a team with a we have played.” that’s going to fall on me be- Kapler was fired after a 161- to take the preparer hat off.
record payroll into a playoff The Phillies still boast NL cause we weren’t,” Girardi 163 record in two seasons I’m still going to prepare
contender. MVP Bryce Harper and NL said. “I just pray that they get and then led the San Francis- some, but I’m going to have
Bench coach Rob Thomson Cy Young Award runner-up better and that they get to the co Giants to a 107-55 record my confidence in the coaches
was named interim manager. Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, playoffs.” and the playoffs last season. around me to keep me in-
Expected to contend for the All-Star catcher J.T. Real- The lowlight was a May 5 The Phillies also fired coach- formed of information. Now
NL East title, the Phillies are muto and free-agent slug- loss at home to the New York ing assistant Bobby Meacham I can go out in the clubhouse
22-29 and 12 games behind gers Nick Castellanos and Mets when they blew a six- and promoted Mike Calitri and really communicate with
the first-place New York Kyle Schwarber. Yet Phila- run deficit in the ninth in- to bench coach. the players, get to know them,
Mets. The Phillies entered delphia hasn’t made the play- ning and lost 8-7. The Mets Thomson was Philadelphia’s get the feel, know what they
Friday 5 1/2 games out of the offs since 2011, hasn’t won had lost the previous 330 bench coach and coordinated like, know what they don’t
second NL wild-card spot. the World Series since 2008 times they trailed by six runs spring training for the last like, know when they’re
“Oh, I think we can make the and has watched fan interest in the ninth. five seasons. He was hired hurt, know when they’re not
playoffs. I think we’re in a plummet through a decade- “I think there’s a number of before the 2018 season. hurt, so that they know that
position where we can battle plus of mediocre baseball. reasons we didn’t win. We “I am ready to lead this team I’ve got their back and that I
back to do that. I do believe “It’s not something that can’t gave too many extra outs that and look forward to getting support them.”