BBTF.org/m/announcers : Fox Fires Lyons For Racially Insensitive Comment

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Buzzfeed: The Killer Feature of MLB.tv.

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posted on April 02, 2013 at 09:18 PM by Infinite Joost (Voxter) to announcers, media, mlb.com, radio, television | 49 comment(s)

Turns out you can watch video with the radio announcer overlaid. I just tried it. Seems to work.

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1. Athletic Supporter gangnam style posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:44 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This is retarded. I have read this article four times and I still can't find the racially insensitive remark.

2. The importance of being Ernest Riles posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:47 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Was Lyon's insinuating that Piniella stole his wallet?

3. Chuck Carr posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:47 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It sounds like Lyons was saying that he never had his moment of good production. I have no idea what he meant by not wanting to sit close to Pinella since he spoke Spanish. I do know that Lyons is an idiot.

4. E., Hinske posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:47 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Had he perhaps dropped his pants and that's why he couldn't find his wallet?

5. Robert S. posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:49 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I don't think we can underestimate the importance of:

This was not a first-time offense for Lyons

6. Matt Waters posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:50 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Did anyone else read the entire AP report? The line about his pants is so out of nowhere. They just snuck it in there. Hilarious.

7. greenback

posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:51 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Sure, FOX, fire him the one year he's not doing a Cardinals LCS. And then you'll probably fire Brennaman after realizing he's an affront to baseball fans everywhere.

8. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:52 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

This is retarded. I have read this article four times and I still can't find the racially insensitive remark.

I still can't figure out which race he was insensitive to.

9. Chuck Carr posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:53 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Did anyone else read the entire AP report? The line about his pants is so out of nowhere. They just snuck it in there. Hilarious.

Haha I noticed that too

10. Mbvlckd posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:55 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

The pants episode is actually Lyons' most famous moment on a baseball field. It gets worked into just about every article about him. If anybody's heard of Lyons, they've heard about the pants.

That said, I think this firing is a REAL stretch. You've got to be LOOKING for offense to find it in those remarks -- and I say that as a Hispanic myself.

11. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:56 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

"Ethnically insensitive" might be more accurate. But I didn't write TFA.

12. JMM posted on October 14, 2006 at 09:58 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Now if we can just get Lou Pinella to trick Joe Buck and Tim McCarver into saying racist things about him too, he shall truly earn the Nobel Prize for Peace (or, at least, for Noise Reduction).

13. The Ghost of Sox Fans Past

posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:01 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Now if we can just get Lou Pinella to trick Joe Buck and Tim McCarver into saying racist things about him too, he shall truly earn the Nobel Prize for Peace (or, at least, for Noise Reduction).

Much to my surprise, there was a brief exchange about Lou's Spanish on today's broadcast. They had better stay 10-foot-pole-plus distant from that.

14. Toolsy McClutch posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:02 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Hell, I'm just happy he's gone. He's added nothing to broadcasts since he started.

15. bunyon posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:11 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Much to my surprise, there was a brief exchange about Lou's Spanish on today's broadcast. They had better stay 10-foot-pole-plus distant from that.

Lou can just go booth to booth, utter a few words of Spanish, and sit back and enjoy the look of abject terror on the faces of the announcers as their lackeys bring him drinks. Sorry Cubs, that will be a tough gig to beat.

16. Hendry's Wad of Cash (UCCF) posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:12 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I still can't figure out which race he was insensitive to.

Human?

I agree with Mbdlckd - that you'll find offense here only if you're specifically looking for it.

17. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:13 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Much to my surprise, there was a brief exchange about Lou's Spanish on today's broadcast. They had better stay 10-foot-pole-plus distant from that.

I remember it being a vehicle for Lou to say it was a positive.

Also, Fox went straight for the Latino color man, didn't they?

18. bunyon posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:13 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I agree with Mbdlckd - that you'll find offense here only if you're specifically looking for it.

Which may be the thing. It must be that FOX was looking for it. Maybe they can hire Reynolds.

19. Maury Brown posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:14 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

For those interested... An interview with him from this past March.

<a href="http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?opti>Steve Lyons interview on The Biz of Baseball</a>

20. Marcus Halberstam posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:15 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lyons is a clod. Did anyone else hear it earlier in the series when Lyons asked Pinella why he took the Tampa Bay job if he enjoyed winning so much, and Pinella's response was several seconds of silence? Fox had to have been looking for excuse to unload him, for any number of reasons.

21. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:17 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Fox went straight for the Latino color man, didn't they?

Yeah, and he's only ploddingly annoying instead of flamboyantly stupid.

22. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:20 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

In fairness to Lyons, his statement comes off mostly as his usual unfunny addled stupidity, rather than intentionally insulting.

Of course, unfunny addled stupidity should be grounds for dismissal.

23. bibigon posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:22 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Ok, so the implication is that Lyons intentionally butchered the Spanish? Because that's really not clear from the article.

Anyone?

24. Old Matt posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:25 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lyons also hates Jews.

25. Repoz

posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:26 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I was sitting in my local Hispanic bar when I heard this...my friends laughed and I said he'll be fired for that.

They said no way...

Goodbye unfunny man.

26. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Ok, so the implication is that Lyons intentionally butchered the Spanish? Because that's really not clear from the article.

I understood it to mean that Lyons was implying that Spanish-speakers are habitual wallet thieves. But it's really not clear at all because he's such a dumbass, you can't make heads or tails of what he says.

27. 8ball posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:28 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I don't think you particularly have to strain to see the racially insensitive aspect of that comment.

He seemed to pretty clearly imply that, since Piniella was part Hispanic, he didn't want to sit next to him lest Piniella steal his wallet.

It was dumb and ungraceful, as well, but I don't think, as some have suggested in this thread, that you can only find something offensive if you are trying to find something to be offended about.

28. bibigon posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:29 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lyons also hates Jews.

Yeah, but that's hardly a fireable offense. That's like liking beer.

29. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:29 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Yeah, and he's only ploddingly annoying instead of flamboyantly stupid.

Dull. Very dull.

Ok, so the implication is that Lyons intentionally butchered the Spanish? Because that's really not clear from the article.

I think the idea is that he intentionally butchered the Spanish. Then, he said that he was missing his wallet after Piniella 1) made the wallet comment, and 2) spoke Spanish. The implication being, of course, that the Spanish-speaking guy would take someone's wallet. That was a lot worse than simply failing to show proper respect for the Spanish language.

30. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:33 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It was dumb and ungraceful, as well, but I don't think, as some have suggested in this thread, that you can only find something offensive if you are trying to find something to be offended about.

The only reason I give him the benefit of the doubt (if calling him a total moron is giving him the benefit of the doubt) is that the whole statement is borderline nonsensical. I don't think he's smart enough to know what he said five words ago or what he's going to say five words from now. So he throws things out in no particular order, hoping they'll be funny, and they come out stupid and arguably offensive.

31. bibigon posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:37 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I mean, I guess if it were clearer that he meant that Pinella stole his wallet because he was hispanic, sure, but to me, it almost reads like a non sequitur. I guess reading it doesn't convey everything, but it seems like a reach from where I'm sitting.

32. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:37 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

<bq>Lyons also hates Jews.</bq>

Yeah, but that's hardly a fireable offense. That's like liking beer.

Did I miss a running joke here?

33. rory_b_bellows posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:38 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Lyons said that Piniella was “hablaing Espanol”—butchering the conjugation for the word “to speak”

Is this even true? Granted it's adding English to a Spanish word but it's correct (technically I guess) if you are going to use a mix of the languages. So is it wrong to use Spanish and English in the same sentence. It's like they went out of their way to confuse everyone even more than Steve Lyons is capable of doing. The only logical excuse to fire him was because of the link to Spanish speaking and wallet stealing and it's not clear from this article that that's what Lyon was implying when he said that.

34. David Nieporent (now, with children) posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:45 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I don't think you particularly have to strain to see the racially insensitive aspect of that comment.

Since numerous people have said that they can't find it at all -- and I agree -- I think it's clear that one does have to strain to see it.

"Racially insensitive" is one of those weasel phrases that allow people to throw around accusations without having to be concrete, or have any real evidence. If one calls someone racist, people expect that one can demonstrate actual racial animosity on the part of the accused. But "insensitivity"? One doesn't even have to show intent; one can just claim to be offended.

35. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:46 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

The upshot of this whole kerfuffle is that justice has been done, possibly on unjust grounds. As a big picture kind of guy, I'll take it.

36. ian posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:51 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Since numerous people have said that they can't find it at all -- and I agree -- I think it's clear that one does have to strain to see it.

It was extremely obvious to myself and the group of people I was watching the game with. How many people watched the segment on TV, instead of simply reading the article?

37. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:52 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Since numerous people have said that they can't find it at all -- and I agree -- I think it's clear that one does have to strain to see it.

It was quite apparent to me what the implication was and why people would be upset about it, despite the ambiguity of the statements.

Then again, I went to college in Berkeley. We are <s>trained</s> bludgeoned over the head until we notice these things.

38. 8ball posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:53 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Since numerous people have said that they can't find it at all -- and I agree -- I think it's clear that one does have to strain to see it.

"Racially insensitive" is one of those weasel phrases that allow people to throw around accusations without having to be concrete, or have any real evidence. If one calls someone racist, people expect that one can demonstrate actual racial animosity on the part of the accused. But "insensitivity"? One doesn't even have to show intent; one can just claim to be offended.

I don't feel like I had to strain to see it, nor am I one who sees racial issues lurking behind every comment.

That said, I don't necessarily disagree with your comment about racial insensitivity being a troublingly nebulous term.

But there does appear to be some intent by Lyons to make a reference to Piniella's heritage in a negative stereotypical way. I don't think Lyons could reasonably claim that Hispanics shouldn't be offended by a suggestion that one has to watch one's wallet around them, because they are likely to steal it.

On the other hand, if it were Joe Buck or Tim McCarver -- someone Fox seems more attached to -- who said the same thing, they probably wouldn't have been fired.

39. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:54 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Then again, I went to college in Berkeley. We are <s>trained</s> bludgeoned over the head until we notice these things.

It worked in the preview...

Then again, I went to college in Berkeley. We are <strike>trained</strike> bludgeoned over the head until we notice these things.

40. Misirlou is bad, he's nationwide posted on October 14, 2006 at 10:57 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

39 posts and no one has mentioned that he should have his kids taken away?

You should all have your kids taken away.

41. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:01 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

39 posts and no one has mentioned that he should have his kids taken away?

He was taken away from us. We consider that sufficient.

42. robinred

posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:02 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Here's a longer excerpt:

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

Fox executives told Lyons after the game he had been fired.

Piniella, approached before Saturday's Game 4, declined to comment on the situation except to say: "No, he's not here today."

This was not a first-time offense for Lyons, nicknamed "Psycho" during his nine-year big league career as a utilityman that ended in 1993 with the Boston Red Sox.

Hired when Fox began broadcasting baseball in 1996, Lyons was suspended without pay in late September 2004 after his remarks about Shawn Green of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Green is Jewish and elected not to play one of the two games at San Francisco that took place during the Yom Kippur holiday.

The network apologized for Lyons' remarks at the time.

Earlier in the playoffs, while working the Mets-Dodgers NLDS, Lyons unwittingly made fun of a nearly blind fan who was wearing special glasses to see the game.

"He's got a digital camera stuck to his face," Lyons said.

Guy seems to have a pattern of saying dumb things on TV that might offend people. And he is easy to replace.

43. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:05 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

And he is easy to replace.

Dead air would be a major improvement.

44. Buzzards Bay posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:12 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

i was watching it and didn't understand the "I don't want to sit too close to him now"
NSCEGF i'm a UCSC grad and that is Banana Slug terra firma..

45. Howie Menckel posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:17 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Huh, I figured the idea was that Lyons was pretending to be offended because Piniella spoke some Spanish words, and therefore Lyons didn't want to sit near someone who doesn't speak only English.
But even that was just a guess.
It's so nonsensical all the way that it's incredible someone could be fired for it, though. As noted, this is the "we'll get Al Capone for tax evasion" way to try to meet a desired endgame in any way possible, I imagine.

46. robinred

posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:19 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

"I don't want to sit too close to him now"

I think the interpretation was:

"I don't want to sit too close to him now" = he's Hispanic and might take my wallet since they do that

But I agree with #30:

I don't think he's smart enough to know what he said five words ago or what he's going to say five words from now. So he throws things out in no particular order, hoping they'll be funny, and they come out stupid and arguably offensive.

And, like the article says, Lyons has pulled a few things like this.

47. robinred

posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:22 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I think the interpretation here would be:

Lyons said that Piniella was “hablaing Espanol”= speak English in the booth instead of that hablaEspanol crap.

48. David Nieporent (now, with children) posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:27 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

I don't think Lyons could reasonably claim that Hispanics shouldn't be offended by a suggestion that one has to watch one's wallet around them, because they are likely to steal it.

I agree that people -- not just Hispanics -- would reasonably be offended at the claim that Hispanics are likely to steal wallets, but I can't imagine how anybody could think that's what he was saying. It was <u>Piniella</u> who brought up the thought of him 'finding' wallets; Lyons was joking that Piniella -- not "Hispanics" -- is likely to steal a wallet.

My point isn't merely that "insensitivity" is nebulous, but that the accusation is bogus. Either Lyons really meant to imply what you interpret his words to mean -- in which case the comments are racist, not "insensitive" -- or he didn't, and you're misinterpreting them -- in which case he didn't really do anything wrong at all (beyond his usual lack of contribution to the broadcast).

49. 33Boots posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:27 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

It was pretty obvious if you heard it. Still, a dumb joke, not hate speech.

50. TerpNats posted on October 14, 2006 at 11:31 PM # hit 0 | hit 0

Fox likes "attitude"...just not that kind, thank you.

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Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Buzzfeed: The Killer Feature of MLB.tv.

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