12/21/24
August 07, 2011
Tony Bruno Calls Pitcher 'Illegal Alien': Sports radio host Tony Bruno called Giants pitcher Ramon Ramirez an "illegal alien" on Twitter after his errant pitch Friday night started a brawl in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. "Gutless #!@%*# Giants," he posted. "Bochy is a coward for having his illegal alien pitcher hit a guy." The response of Alex Nogales, president of the National Hispanic Media Coalition: "This guy is a pig."
From the ESPN Article:
"My stupid and insensitive twitter post was up less than one minute before I realized it was caustic," Bruno said. "It was removed immediately and I typed a quick apology on twitter and here. Since I was doing my live radio show, I apologized more emphatically on the air, and the podcast is available on my website (tonybrunoshow.com, hour 3) for those who choose to actually get some facts to go along with the hearsay or bloggers who spread falsehoods about my apology not being 'sincere.'"While I am sure his apology was sincere, it still doesn't reflect well on Mr. Bruno that his gut reaction was to post something prejudiced. I wouldn't argue that he should lose his job over this, but Mr. Bruno should maybe do some self-examining and ask "why, when I got angry, was my first reaction to make a racist comment."
posted by Joey Michaels at 05:43 PM on August 07, 2011
Highly unlikely the visa is outdated; one would think pro clubs check that status before every season.
This also is a good reason why, while it may be good public relations, media folk and athletes might want to skip the social media thing. Too many people get caught up in stuff like this.
posted by jjzucal at 10:58 AM on August 08, 2011
for the record, I doubt the visa is outdated, just was throwing that out as the only way this jerk keeps his job. Sincere apologies are nice, but they do not undo one's actions.
posted by dviking at 04:09 PM on August 08, 2011
I have never understood why apologies for verbal slurs and similar inane outbursts without changes in behavior, so the thing doesn't happen again, are worth anything to anyone except the conscious of the person who f'ed up.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:18 PM on August 08, 2011
Mr. Bruno should maybe do some self-examining and ask "why, when I got angry, was my first reaction to make a racist comment." This +1000.
Also, I love Bochy's response, "I can defend myself as a coward. I don't know if you can defend yourself making a racist comment."
posted by lost_cause at 08:00 PM on August 08, 2011
I do love Bruno's response which included " All of you people resorting to name calling are more classless and vile."
Probably not the best apology he could have come up with.
Now, if it turns out that Ramirez's visa is outdated, then maybe Bruno keeps his job, otherwise, he's gone.