BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Radio host’s tweet on SF Giants stirs uproar

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Radio host’s tweet on SF Giants stirs uproar

A sports radio talk show host’s short-lived Twitter posting that called Giants pitcher Ramon Ramirez an illegal alien after his errant pitch Friday night started a baseball brawl had the Internet world in an uproar Saturday.

...Tony Bruno, whose nationally syndicated show is broadcast on KNBR, posted his comment on Twitter during his show about Ramirez hitting the Phillies’ Shane Victorino with a pitch Friday night, a pitch that sparked a bench-clearing brawl.

“gutless #!@%*# Giants,” he posted. “(Giants manager Bruce) Bochy is a coward for having his illegal alien pitcher hit a guy since mighty Frisco boys…”

The comment was quickly removed, but not before many fans read it, and some copied it and reposted it on various Internet sites.

“I did remove my post and apologize for my comments regarding illegal aliens,” he wrote. “I was angry and on the air and I stand behind my comments that Bruce Bochy is a coward, as are all managers who order pitchers to throw at guys just because their pitchers can’t get a guy out. All of you people resorting to name calling are more classless and vile.”

Thanks to This Is Radio Barnald.

Repoz Posted: August 07, 2011 at 12:38 PM | 40 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: announcers, giants, media, phillies

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. Cyclone Alley Posted: August 07, 2011 at 01:15 PM (#3894594)

All of you people resorting to name calling are more classless and vile.

Hypocrisy, thy name is Tony Bruno.

2. Dale Sams Posted: August 07, 2011 at 02:00 PM (#3894608)

For some reason reading 'illegal alien' as an ethnic slur just comes off as Sci-Fi-ish. It just doesn't have the impact of 'wetback' or 'spic'

3. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 07, 2011 at 02:26 PM (#3894620)

"Bruno" doesn't exactly sound like a true American name to me.

4. Justin T is expanding the aperture of awareness Posted: August 07, 2011 at 02:30 PM (#3894621)

Does Bruno still do his morning segment with Radnich on KNBR? Probably not, even if he did on Friday. But that would be an interesting Monday segment.

Seems a bit out of character for him to post that, even though he is a Philadelphia sports fan. But this kind of idiocy is not his shtick, from what I've ever heard.

5. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: August 07, 2011 at 02:31 PM (#3894622)

What are you talking about? Bruno Sammartino was a great American hero!

6. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: August 07, 2011 at 02:45 PM (#3894627)

Seems a bit out of character for him to post that, even though he is a Philadelphia sports fan. But this kind of idiocy is not his shtick, from what I've ever heard.

It's often the guys who aren't natural ########, but decide to try to play one to make their careers, who screw up the worst. People who are actually humongous ######## have a lifetime of experience modulating their assholery for their audience.

7. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: August 07, 2011 at 02:46 PM (#3894628)

Seems a bit out of character for him to post that, even though he is a Philadelphia sports fan. But this kind of idiocy is not his shtick, from what I've ever heard.

Yeah, this seems out of character. This is probably why sports announcers/pundits shouldn't be fanboys, I guess. It doesn't look good for a pro to sound like a random commenter on a Fox Sports article.

8. Ray (RDP)

Posted: August 07, 2011 at 03:06 PM (#3894637)

Someone said something silly before he thought better of it. I am outraged.

9. Guapo Posted: August 07, 2011 at 03:36 PM (#3894646)

Someone said something silly before he thought better of it. I am outraged.

Of course you are. Under no circumstances would you reconsider any of your silly comments.

10. lieiam Posted: August 07, 2011 at 03:48 PM (#3894651)

NEWSFLASH!
Annoying sports radio personality 'said' something stupid!

11. spike Posted: August 07, 2011 at 04:00 PM (#3894656)

I love how "whatever I say isn't racist and if you disagree then YOU are the racist" is somehow considered an airtight defense by certain political factions in this country.

12. hardrain Posted: August 07, 2011 at 04:54 PM (#3894665)

When I was in middle school, I was one of two Phil's in my class. I was called "Phil the Polack" and the other guy was called "Regular Phil."

13. McCoy Posted: August 07, 2011 at 05:25 PM (#3894675)

Better than being called Phillie.

14. Greg (U)K Posted: August 07, 2011 at 05:43 PM (#3894682)

Unfair, I tried that tactic once with a girlfriend and it didn't work for me at all.

I did sleep with your sister and I apologize. To be fair, she's really hot, I stand by that. What really struck me about this series of events is the lack of class you showed in your reaction. Some of the things you called me were hateful and vile. This concludes my apology.

15. booond Posted: August 07, 2011 at 05:58 PM (#3894702)

I love how "whatever I say isn't racist and if you disagree then YOU are the racist" is somehow considered an airtight defense by certain political factions in this country.

If you hide behind god you don't have to apologize.

16. YR Misses Reggie Bars Posted: August 07, 2011 at 07:09 PM (#3894740)

What are you talking about? Bruno Sammartino was a great American hero!

Bruno Sammartino was such an admired figure in the American sporting world that he was granted a personal audience with Pope Paul VI. Imagine any pro-wrestler receiving such privilege today.

17. robinred

Posted: August 07, 2011 at 07:33 PM (#3894761)

I did sleep with your sister and I apologize. To be fair, she's really hot, I stand by that. What really struck me about this series of events is the lack of class you showed in your reaction. Some of the things you called me were hateful and vile. This concludes my apology.

Heh.

18. Rowland Office Supplies Posted: August 07, 2011 at 08:47 PM (#3894793)

Bruno Sammartino was such an admired figure in the American sporting world that he was granted a personal audience with Pope Paul VI. Imagine any pro-wrestler receiving such privilege today.

Okay. I imagine The Undertaker. Awesome.

19. you got a STEAGLES? you're gonna need a STEAGLES. Posted: August 07, 2011 at 09:06 PM (#3894794)

Bruno Sammartino was such an admired figure in the American sporting world that he was granted a personal audience with Pope Paul VI. Imagine any pro-wrestler receiving such privilege today.

it'd probably have to be pat patterson.

20. Something Other Posted: August 07, 2011 at 09:58 PM (#3894817)

Bruno Sammartino was such an admired figure in the American sporting world that he was granted a personal audience with Pope Paul VI. Imagine any pro-wrestler receiving such privilege today.

Sure, if he pays enough for the indulgence.

21. CFBF Hates Hyphens Posted: August 07, 2011 at 10:30 PM (#3894826)

Is Tony Bruno the guy who had a cringeworthy "radio show" on Madden...was it '04?

22. Chris Fluit Posted: August 07, 2011 at 10:38 PM (#3894829)

I can always count on Think Factory for a good laugh. Thanks, guys.

23. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: August 07, 2011 at 11:03 PM (#3894838)

Is Tony Bruno the guy who had a cringeworthy "radio show" on Madden...was it '04?

Yes he is. Although I'm pretty sure it was '07 or '08. Unless he had one in more than one game.

24. Lassus Posted: August 07, 2011 at 11:19 PM (#3894848)

Someone said something silly before he thought better of it. I am outraged.

Using your adjectives as facts is tiresome.

25. TVerik Posted: August 07, 2011 at 11:25 PM (#3894849)

I had not heard of "wetback" before.

26. gef the talking mongoose Posted: August 07, 2011 at 11:35 PM (#3894855)

I had not heard of "wetback" before.

According to my old newspaper's Pulitzer Prize-winning editorialist, that's just a colorful Americanism.

Of course, he's a hebe. That's another colorful Americanism.

27. YR Misses Reggie Bars Posted: August 07, 2011 at 11:42 PM (#3894858)

Bruno Sammartino was such an admired figure in the American sporting world that he was granted a personal audience with Pope Paul VI. Imagine any pro-wrestler receiving such privilege today.

it'd probably have to be pat patterson.

ZING!

28. The District Attorney Posted: August 08, 2011 at 12:24 AM (#3894876)

Look, if your reaction to a player being hit by a pitch is not "Hey, that guy hit our player!" but rather "Hey, that Latino guy hit our player!"... I think it's fair to say you've got some baggage. I wouldn't be moved to go out in the street and protest you, but, I mean, you really need to look in the mirror there.

29. KT's Pot Arb Posted: August 08, 2011 at 04:58 AM (#3895250)

Annoying sports radio personality 'said' something stupid!

Tony Bruno is one of the funniest and most likeable sports commentators.

Obviously he has some issues with the Giants too, but who doesn't? They have to be baseballs whiniest team.

30. Athletic Supporter gangnam style Posted: August 08, 2011 at 05:27 AM (#3895253)

Obviously he has some issues with the Giants too, but who doesn't? They have to be baseballs whiniest team.

No way. Tony La Russa is the Babe Ruth of whining -- he outwhines half the teams in the league by himself.

31. Bhaakon Posted: August 08, 2011 at 06:35 AM (#3895267)

Tony Bruno is one of the funniest and most likeable sports commentators.

Obviously he has some issues with the Giants too, but who doesn't? They have to be baseballs whiniest team.

What's weird about it is that Bruno doesn't just host a syndicated national talk show that KNBR happens to pick up, he spent years as the de facto co-host of one of KNBR's morning shows (he'd basically call in and chat with the host for two hours every morning). He does radio spots for local SF businesses. It's not like he's some Philly-centric radio jock who thought that no one in the Bay Area would be paying attention.

32. Infinite Joost (Voxter)

Posted: August 08, 2011 at 06:50 AM (#3895268)

The word "whine" makes me want to smack people.

33. gef the talking mongoose Posted: August 08, 2011 at 07:16 AM (#3895273)

Is "whinge" better?

34. FancyPantsHandle glistening with foreign substance Posted: August 08, 2011 at 10:27 AM (#3895279)

The word "whine" makes me want to smack people.

Stop whining.

35. Shooty is in the Trust Tree

Posted: August 08, 2011 at 01:00 PM (#3895299)

Look, if your reaction to a player being hit by a pitch is not "Hey, that guy hit our player!" but rather "Hey, that Latino guy hit our player!"... I think it's fair to say you've got some baggage. I wouldn't be moved to go out in the street and protest you, but, I mean, you really need to look in the mirror there.

A very good point. It reminds me of when I was at Ole Miss and the football team had a black quarterback. When he did well, he was The Quarterback, when he did poorly, he was The Black Quarterback.

36. Dale Sams Posted: August 08, 2011 at 01:23 PM (#3895306)

I agree, especially with someone as low-key as Ramiro Ramirez. (Unless I've missed something since he left Boston.)...I can understand a little more if say someone like Albert Belle or Gary Sheffield clocked your favorite player from behind and you said something in haste. There's still some issues you gotta deal with but..., it's just Ramiro Ramirez.

37. villageidiom Posted: August 08, 2011 at 02:17 PM (#3895329)

I agree, especially with someone as low-key as Ramiro Ramirez. (Unless I've missed something since he left Boston.)...

Is this an odd hybrid of Ramiro Mendoza and Ramon Ramirez?

38. Dale Sams Posted: August 08, 2011 at 04:54 PM (#3895442)

Sorry. Thinking I was mis-remembering his name, I even googled "ramiro ramirez giants" and got some hits.

39. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: August 08, 2011 at 05:01 PM (#3895447)

Is "whinge" better?

Good ####### christ no. I have an irrational hatred of that word in all its forms. It's probably a sign I'm getting old but I hate it.

40. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: August 08, 2011 at 05:15 PM (#3895459)

Kvetch?

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Radio host’s tweet on SF Giants stirs uproar

Reader Comments and Retorts

BBTF Partner

Bookmarks

Hot Topics