Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Sports

MLB to investigate "inappropriate" conduct by coach

By Reuters
Published | Updated

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Major League Baseball (MLB) has launched an investigation after Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell was accused of "highly inappropriate conduct toward fans" by a man on Wednesday.

According to Justin Quinn, McDowell made homophobic comments and crude sexual gestures to three male fans sitting in the bleachers during pre-game batting practice at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Saturday.

Quinn, who was also in the stands with his wife and their nine-year-old twin daughters, complained about the behavior before McDowell allegedly threatened to knock out his teeth with a baseball bat.

"Although I do not yet have all the facts regarding this incident, the allegations are very troubling to me," MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.

"The Atlanta Braves have assured my office that they will immediately investigate the allegations, and report the results of the investigation to me. After I have all the facts, I will make a determination of how to proceed."

In a statement issued by the Braves on Wednesday, McDowell said: "I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. "I apologize to everyone for my actions."

Quinn, 33, described what took place at AT&T Park during a news conference with his attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Appalled by McDowell's behavior toward the three male fans, Quinn called out: 'Hey, there are kids out here'. He alleged that the pitching coach replied: "Kids don't **** belong at the baseball park.'

According to Quinn, McDowell then picked up a baseball bat, walked up to him and asked: 'How much are your teeth worth?'"

In a statement, Quinn said: "When I go to a baseball game and take my family, I expect a higher standard of conduct from the team and its coaches.

"Children should not be told they do not belong at a ballpark. Major League Baseball should not tolerate this kind of disgusting and offensive conduct and that is why I am speaking out today."

(Editing by Julian Linden)