Tigers, Bally Sports Detroit suspend Jack Morris indefinitely for referencing Shohei Ohtani with mocking accent


Jack Morris used a mocking accent while saying that the Tigers should "be very very careful" when pitching to Shohei Ohtani. (Gregory J. Fisher/Reuters)

Jack Morris apologized after using a mocking accent to introduce Shohei Ohtani during Tuesday's game between the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels. On Wednesday, the Tigers and Bally Sports Detroit suspended him indefinitely for the remarks.

The Hall of Fame pitcher who spent most of his career in Detroit now works as a color analyst calling Tigers games for Bally Sports. When asked how the Tigers should approach pitching to Ohtani early in the game, Morris said they should "be very very careful" with the Japanese phenom while using a mocking accent.

Before Ohtani's plate appearance in the ninth inning Morris announced that "it's been brought to my attention." He then apologized for his earlier commentary regarding Ohtani.

Morris' apology

"I sincerely apologize if I offended anybody, especially anybody in the Asian community, for what I said about pitching and being careful to Jose — err, Shoehei 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 and don't blame a pitcher for walking him."

Morris, 66, pitched 18 years in MLB from 1977 to 1994. He spent 14 seasons with the Tigers before winning a World Series with the Minnesota Twins in 1991. He's in his second stint in the Tigers broadcast booth after stepping away from his part-time role as a game analyst in 2016.

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