Fox dismisses Lyons for racially insensitive remark

[Venom]

http://x.go.com/cgi/x.pl?goto=http://spo...417&srvc=sz

When I saw this, I thought I knew what comments they fired him for, because I watched the game yesterday. Here is what ESPN said.

[ QUOTE ]
In the second inning of Friday's game between Detroit and Oakland, Piniella talked about the success light-hitting A's infielder Marco Scutaro had in the first round of the playoffs. Piniella said that slugger Frank Thomas and Eric Chavez needed to contribute, comparing Scutaro's production to finding a "wallet on Friday" and hoping it happened again the next week.

Later, Piniella said the A's needed Thomas to get "en fuego" -- hot in Spanish -- because he was currently "frio" -- or cold. After Brennaman praised Piniella for being bilingual, Lyons spoke up.

Lyons said that Piniella was "hablaing Espanol" -- butchering the conjugation for the word "to speak" -- and added, "I still can't find my wallet."

"I don't understand him, and I don't want to sit too close to him now," Lyons continued.

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you think that warranted firing him?

That was a poor comment by him, but it seams pretty harsh to me. I know they should be very cautious with issues like this, but perhaps a public apology on air would have been more appropriate?

One of my biggest problems with that, is that the announcers are going to be on edge now, and afraid to say anything, taking away from their commentary skills. Personally, I think Steve Lyons is a great commentator; and that those 3 made a great staff. I am disappointed he is not doing the games anymore.

What are your guys thoughts?

[kokokolo]

lol nothing should have happened.

If the channel doesnt make it a big deal, nobody is gonna remember 2 days later.

Maybe just his boss should have a word with him or something.

[TForce]

Having grown up where English and Spanish are spoken together in the same sentence, I don't find those comments very racially insensitive. To me "hablaing Espanol" sounds a bit dimwitted more than anything, but not really racially insensitive. Seeing how he had made some inappropriate remarks in the past on air, I think it is more likely that he was cut, as in his bosses just didn't think he was a good addition to their team when it comes to the quality of language that he used on the air overall, and they just used that as an excuse.

[Venom]

Yeah, TForce. No doubt other issues could have been involved here. Pinella may have been offended and requested his dismissal.

[rickck48]

WOW! that is kinda thing that comes from people not being sensitive but making up something to cause controveristy to gain more viewers to their site! Sorry but to me that is about gettin noteriety and makin money. [img]/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]