MLB Analyst Alanna Rizzo Apologised For Her Controversial Take On Orlando Arcia & Bryce Harper Situation
After directing a profane diatribe on Fox Sports writer Jake Mintz during an episode of “High Heat” on Thursday, MLB Network commentator Alanna Rizzo apologized publically to Mintz and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Friday.
MLB Analyst Alanna Rizzo Apologised For Her Controversial Take On Orlando Arcia & Bryce Harper Situation
“I wanted to give a heartfelt apology to Jake Mintz and the entire BBWAA. What I said yesterday about Jake was completely inappropriate. It was inaccurate and it was beyond unprofessional,” the reporter said on MLB Network’s “High Heat.” “I got caught up in the heat of the moment.
Alanna Rizzo apologizes to Jake Mintz after calling him a “jackoff” among other things for his reporting on Orlando Arcia’s clubhouse comments pic.twitter.com/r0MhxNRb4F
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 13, 2023
“But I have to say, the media, of course, the BBWAA, and the credentialed media do a tremendous job covering the sport that we love and what I said was completely off base. I’ve had an interesting 24 hours and I’ve learned a lot more. I apologised to Jake, I’ve talked to him already. I apologized to him privately and I also apologised to him publicly. They do a good job in the clubhouse and I was completely inaccurate in my assessment of what went down.”
Bryce Harper 'Atta Boy' controversy, explained: Why Orlando Arcia's comments led to backlash, Alanna Rizzo rant https://t.co/30Aa8Z3a7w#sports #livesports
— Sports hub (@sports_hub_1) October 13, 2023
Mintz was in the locker room of the Atlanta Braves after Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. In that game, the Braves won their lone game of the series, and the game’s last play included Phillies star Bryce Harper getting doubled off first base. Mintz overheard Braves pitcher Orlando Arcia remark, “Atta boy Harper,” and reported what he heard.
Rizzo, who co-hosts High Heat with Chris Russo on the MLB Network, slammed Mintz. “And then some jackoff comes in at the end of the season that gets a credential, God only knows why. And the clubhouse is a sacred space.”
Alanna Rizzo Went On "High Heat" And Unleashed A Nonsensical Rant About Bloggers For Their Coverage Of The Orlando Arcia/Bryce Harper Beef https://t.co/vFUFo28Jcn
— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) October 13, 2023
Alanna Rizzo was quickly taken to task for her remarks on Twitter, and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America also came to Mintz’s defence.
“To assert otherwise, in vulgar terms, is both unprofessional and unacceptable,” the BBWAA said. “The BBWAA is deeply troubled that the league’s own network would permit the disparaging of one of our members in this fashion. Scrutinizing our work is part of the territory, but comments such as these should have no place on MLBN.”
MLB Reporter Alanna Rizzo Gets Blasted For Her Take On Orlando Arcia Situation https://t.co/kK9A2H8C9T
— TMSPN.com (@sportsgossip) October 13, 2023
The Phillies won the NLDS for the second consecutive season on Thursday, and a shirt with Arcia’s statement on it was spotted in the Phillies’ clubhouse during the celebration.
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