MLB Announcers Blast Orioles For Kevin Brown Suspension
As we told you earlier, the Baltimore Orioles suspended TV play-by-play man Kevin Brown several weeks ago for a really stupid reason. On Monday night, announcers from across Major League Baseball took turns ripping Orioles ownership for the decision.
Brown was reportedly suspended after a pregame segment pointed out how bad the Orioles had been when playing the Tampa Bay Rays on the road in previous seasons. The point of the segment was that this year’s Baltimore squad had seemingly reversed that trend. Apparently owner John Angelos didn’t like the negativity of the broadcast and ordered Brown to be suspended.
Here’s the clip in question:
Here’s the clip of Kevin Brown’s pregame comments on the Orioles’ recent record against the Rays ahead of a series finale on July 23. Sources tell AA these comments led to Brown’s current indefinite suspension from Orioles’ broadcasts. pic.twitter.com/csURU04fJU
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 7, 2023
It was a completely innocuous segment simply pointing out empirical facts. There was no editorializing about the past whatsoever. Apparently, Angelos is so thin-skinned he doesn’t want anyone being reminded of how awful his tenure as owner has been.
Announcers from across baseball erupted in response to the news. A sampling follows.
New York Mets play-by-play man Gary Cohen.
Gary Cohen on the Orioles/Kevin Brown controversy.
“Let me just say one thing to Baltimore Orioles management. You draped yourself in humiliation when you fired Jon Miller. And you’re doing it again. And if you don’t want Kevin Brown, there are 29 other teams who do.” pic.twitter.com/HkKdr95hQp
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 8, 2023
New York Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay:
“This makes the Orioles look so small and insignificant and minor league”
Michael Kay gave his thoughts on the Orioles’ suspension of broadcaster Kevin Brown pic.twitter.com/03847A0vuD
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 7, 2023
Fellow Yankees broadcasters John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman weighted in:
John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman weigh in on the situation with Orioles’ broadcaster Kevin Brown pic.twitter.com/VTYcfTPMt5
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 8, 2023
Chicago White Sox TV broadcaster Jason Benetti took a shot at them:
Jason Benetti taking shots at the O’s pic.twitter.com/aDnElFLiuc
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) August 8, 2023
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo unleashed a rant about it:
Mad Dog Russo was made aware of the story below, and let’s just say he is NOT thrilled with the Orioles’ brass. https://t.co/RkmQYne5kD pic.twitter.com/Rj2gev3VtE
— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) August 7, 2023
ESPN‘s Scott Van Pelt chimed in:
This is very simple. There are facts and opinion.
Kevin recited facts, and only facts.
If he’s been suspended for that, it’s my opinion that it is so small and ridiculous as not to be believed. https://t.co/uZZTD2vPr7
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) August 8, 2023
As did Mina Kimes:
*Streisand Effect intensifies* pic.twitter.com/5zPE7g05Fd
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) August 7, 2023
It seems there is absolutely no one on the side of the Orioles. For good reason.
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