Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell, accused of hurling anti-gay slurs at fans attending a San Francisco Giants game last week, has been placed on administrative leave, the team announced Friday.
The Braves have not completed their investigation into the alleged events last Saturday at AT&T Park, so McDowell's fate with the organization has not yet been determined.
In the meantime, Braves minor league instructor Dave Wallace will serve as the team’s pitching coach. Wallace, 63, was previously a pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets.
McDowell has apologized for the remarks in response to heckling fans. He's also accused of threatening a Fresno man, attending the game with his wife and two young daughters, according to celebrity attorney Gloria Allred.
The Braves on Wednesday issued a statement expressing concern over "the behavior described by a witness today. This in no way represents the Braves organization and the conduct we expect of our employees. We will withhold further comments until we finish gathering information.”
McDowell allegedly yelled "Are you a homo couple or a threesome?" to fans sitting in the left-field bleachers. He's also accused of simulating a sex act with a bat.
Giants fan Justin Quinn said he asked McDowell to watch his language in the presence of children.
According to Allred, the former New York Mets pitcher told Quinn, "Kids don't [expletive] belong at the baseball park."
McDowell, 50, then "picked up his bat and started walking in a threatening manner towards Quinn," Allred said.
Quinn, 33, said McDowell asked him, "How much are your teeth worth?"
Gay groups both locally and nationally are also demanding action by the Braves and Major League Baseball.
In a statement, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig called the allegations "very troubling. The Atlanta Braves have assured my office that they will immediately investigate the allegations, and report the results of the investigation to me. After I have all the facts, I will make a determination of how to proceed," Selig said.
Earlier this month, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for calling a referee an anti-gay slur during a Lakers game. Allred said she sees that incident as serving as a template for what should happen to McDowell.
"There has to be accountability," Allred said. Quinn told the AJC he may pursue legal action against McDowell.
McDowell, a 12-year major league veteran, was hired by the Braves in 2005 to replace longtime pitching coach Leo Mazzone.
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