Steinberg: Stan Kasten Isn’t Sorry For What He Did

Scum of the Earth…He Found Out How They Live Above Tobacco Road!...Scum of the Earth.

Nats Prez Stan Kasten was just on ESPN 980’s Sports Reporters to discuss, among other things, his gushy invitation to the fine people of Philadelphia this week. (An invitation which one Philly writer described as “bizarre and damn near traitorous.”) Andy Pollin and Steve Czaban wanted him to admit he had made a mistake. Nothing doing.

“Well first of all, let me say that any passion that has been brought into this conversation is fabulous,” Kasten said, approximately. “I love it, this is great. They’re our best NL rivals, and the more passion we can have in this rivalry is fantastic.”

He said he has invited countless groups all over the country to come visit the Nats in D.C. He said he has helped countless Nats fans get tickets to games in other cities. He said he can’t stop inviting people to come visit, so proud is he of this ballpark.

“I welcome any fans from any other city, and I hope they feel free to come whenever they want,” he said, which still feels different than going onto two Philly radio stations to beg rival fans to come to the first home series of the year.

Czaban said as much, calling his comments “a foul ball.”

“If you’re telling me there’s something about the city of Philadelphia….Ok, I will listen to you on that subject, but I don’t agree with you,” Kasten said.

“Scum of the earth,” Czaban suggested.

“That’s horrible,” Kasten said. “What an awful thing to say. Let me say this, no matter who comes to our games, we expect great enthusiasm and [good behavior]....To just shamelessly give in to your unfair stereotype? Shame on you. I know you don’t feel that way.”