Keith Hernandez apology over homophobic bat licking joke

Sportscaster and baseball legend Keith Hernandez apologized after making what appeared to be a homophobic joke on air during a pre-show for Game 7 of the World Series.

The MLB show on Fox Sports took an unexpected turn when sportscaster David Ortiz did a physical comedy bit mimicking Los Angeles Dogers Yasiel Puig’s at-bat ritual of licking his bat, as he leaned over and stuck his tongue towards Hernandez.

Hernandez appeared to respond, ‘I’m not from San Francisco, bro!’ and was viewed as being homophobic due to the city’s LGBT population.

However in his apology, Hernandez explains it was a ‘poor attempt at humor.’ He said in a statement to the Daily News that he actually said: ‘I’m from San Francisco’ and was making a reference to the fact he grew up a Giants fan and would never root for the Dodgers.

‘I made a poor attempt at humor and never intended for it to be taken the wrong way,’ Hernandez said. ‘I am from San Francisco and as baseball fans know, the Dodgers/Giants rivalry runs deep. I did not grow up a Dodger fan and when it came down to Giants vs. Dodgers, I rooted for the Giants. I apologize if any offense was taken.’ 

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David Ortiz leans over and sticks his tongue towards Keith Hernandez mimicking LA Dodgers Yasiel Puig’s bat lick when he is at-bat

Did he say it? It sounded like as Hernandez leaned back he was saying 'I'm not from San Francisco, bro!' though the sportscaster says he actually from the city and explained further 

Did he say it? It sounded like as Hernandez leaned back he was saying ‘I’m not from San Francisco, bro!’ though the sportscaster says he actually from the city and explained further 

Left to right the MLB Fox Sports show: Kevin Burkhardt, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Keith Hernandez, Frank Thomas
Houston Astros v Los Angeles Dodgers at Game 7, World Series

Left to right the MLB Fox Sports show: Kevin Burkhardt, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Keith Hernandez, Frank ThomasHouston Astros v Los Angeles Dodgers at Game 7, World Series

Unfortunately for the Los Angles Dogers, Puig’s bat lick wasn’t enough to take over the Astros, as an exciting series concluded in Game 7 with Houston taking home their first ever World Series championship.

Less than three months after the Gulf Coast was slammed by Hurricane Harvey, and with his players wearing an ‘H Strong’ logo on their jerseys, Astros owner Jim Crane dedicated the Commissioner’s Trophy to the victims. 

‘This one is for Houston back there at home and the region,’ Crane said afterwards. ‘Got hit hard; everyone was behind us.’ 

While the trophy was dedicated to the fans, it was Astros center fielder George Springer who did most of the heavy lifting.  

Yasiel Puig licks his bat for luck- he's explained he gives love to the bat so it gives him love back

Yasiel Puig licks his bat for luck- he’s explained he gives love to the bat so it gives him love back

The Astros celebrate defeating the Dodgers 5-1 in game seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium in L.A.

The Astros celebrate defeating the Dodgers 5-1 in game seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium in L.A.

Not only did Springer tie a Fall Classic record on Wednesday with his fifth home run in the series, but he also led the game off with a double to left before ultimately scoring on a throwing error by Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger.

Springer won the World Series MVP, which was recently renamed for legendary Giants center fielder Willie Mays. The Connecticut native finished the series hitting .379 (11-for-29) with three doubles, five homers, seven RBI and eight runs scored, becoming the first player ever to reach those totals in a single World Series.

The night wasn’t entirely pleasant for the Astros who had their issues with one of their own recently being called out for inappropriate behavior.

Yuri Gurriel was booed loudly again in the first inning on Wednesday before flying out to left field. The Astros first baseman was recently suspended for the first five games of the 2018 season after being seen making a racist gesture in the Houston dugout during Game 3.

Dodgers' right fielder Yasiel Puig slams his bat to the ground after popping up with two runners on base in the third inning

Dodgers’ right fielder Yasiel Puig slams his bat to the ground after popping up with two runners on base in the third inning

Astros pitcher Justin Verlander celebrates with fiancee Kate Upton after Houston defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1

Astros pitcher Justin Verlander celebrates with fiancee Kate Upton after Houston defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1

Gurriel was seemingly referencing Darvish, who is from Japan.

On Wednesday, Gurriel did tip his hat to Darvish before stepping to the plate.  

Gurriel was previously booed by the Dodger faithful during introductions on Tuesday and again before his first at-bat in Game 6.

In fact, Dodgers starter Rich Hill stepped off the mound after Gurriel was announced, which gave the home fans more time to show their displeasure. 

Hill described it as his ‘silent gesture’ to condemn Gurriel’s racist gesture toward Darvish after homering off the hurler last Friday.

‘This is a very close group, and for him to acknowledge that moment on behalf of Yu, I’m sure that Yu appreciated that,’ Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said before Game 7.

‘The fans obviously got to voice their displeasure.’ 

Jason Bateman arrives at Dodger Stadium for Game 7

George Lopez arrives at Dodger Stadium for Game 7

Actor Jason Bateman (left) and comedian George Lopez (right) arrive at Dodger Stadium for Game 7

Zac Efron arrives at Dodgers Stadium for Game 7 of the World Series vs the Houston Astros

Rob Lowe takes his son John to the Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium for Game 7

(Left) Zac Efron arrives at Dodgers Stadium for Game 7. (Right) Rob Lowe arrives at Dodger Stadium with son John 

During Game 3, the Cuban-born Gurriel could be seen pulling on the corners of his eyes after homering off Darvish during Houston’s 5-3 win. He also used a derogatory Spanish term in reference to Darvish, who was born in Japan.

‘I made an offensive gesture that was indefensible,’ Gurriel said in a statement released by the Astros. 

‘I sincerely apologize to everyone that I offended with my actions. I deeply regret it.’

‘I would particularly like to apologize to Yu Darvish, a pitcher that I admire and respect. I would also like to apologize to the Dodgers organization, the Astros, Major League Baseball and to all fans across the game,’ he said.  

Gurriel will lose $322,581 of his $12 million salary next year, which the Astros will donate to charitable causes. 

Darvish has downplayed the incident.  

‘When a Dodgers staffer told me what was happening, at the time, it’s not like I was that irritated by it,’ Darvish said through an interpreter. ‘About the extent of my reaction was me telling [interpreter Hideaki] Sato, ‘He did something he shouldn’t have done. This is going to be a problem, isn’t it?’ But I wasn’t angry at all.’

Gurriel attempted to apologize to Darvish, but the Dodgers hurler did not deem it necessary. 

‘I was told the next day told he wanted to speak to me, and I communicated to him that it was completely unnecessary and that I wasn’t bothered by it,’ Darvish said. ‘Even now, I’m not bothered by it at all.’ 

One baseball fan has earned over $14 million by betting on the eventual winner of the first six games of the series. 

According to Associated Press odds provider RJ Bell, that fan did not bet on Game 7, deciding to keep his winnings instead. 

2017 WORLD SERIES 

At Dodger Stadium

  • Game 1: Dodgers 3, Astros 1
  • Game 2: Astros 7, Dodgers 6

At Minute Maid Park

  • Game 3: Astros 5, Dodgers 3
  • Game 4: Dodgers 6, Astros 2
  • Game 5: Astros 13, Dodgers 12 (10 innings)

At Dodger Stadium

  • Game 6: Dodgers 3, Astros 1
  • Game 7: Astros 5, Dodgers 1

On Tuesday night the unknown gambler had $8 million riding on Game 6, which the Dodgers ultimately won, as he predicted.  

Since the World Series began on October 26, the gambler has taken his winnings from each game and placed them all on the following contest. 

Introduced as the National League’s Houston Colt .45s in 1962, the Astros changed their name upon moving into baseball’s first domed stadium, the Astrodome, in 1965. The franchise has never won a World Series, but did represent the National League in 2005 before losing to the Chicago White Sox. 

The Astros moved to the American League in 2010, and have mostly been rebuilding until 2015, when they reached the first round of the playoffs. 

This season the Astros led the American League in runs scored, batting average and slugging percentage while allowing only 700 runs – fewer than all but eight teams. 

The Astros defeated the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in the playoffs en route to the World Series.

A parade is schedule for Friday in Houston.  

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