Roger McDowell accused of hurling slurs

Atlanta Braves

Roger McDowell accused of hurling slurs

Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell accused of hurling gay slurs in San Fransisco.

Justin Quinn, left, with wife, Jessica, and their twin daughters: Kylynn, middle, and Taylor, right, hold a news conference organized by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Justin Quinn claims Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell made homophobic comments and crude sexual gestures toward fans and threatened him with a bat before the Braves played the San Francisco Giants on April 23, at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell, here with former manager Bobby Cox, responded to the allegations by apologizing in a press release. "I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions," he said.

The Braves released a statement concerning McDowell (left, standing in the bullpen) and the allegations: "We are concerned by these allegations and the behavior described by a witness today. This in no way represents the Braves organization and the conduct we expect of our employees."

McDowell, who had been a minor league pitching coach in the Dodgers organization, replaced longtime Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone after the 2005 season.

Before becoming a coach, McDowell was a major league relief pitcher for 12 seasons. He was a part of the 1986 Mets' World Series championship team.

McDowell, right, was known as a prankster in his days as a player.

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Justin Quinn, left, with wife, Jessica, and their twin daughters: Kylynn, middle, and Taylor, right, hold a news conference organized by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Justin Quinn claims Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell made homophobic comments and crude sexual gestures toward fans and threatened him with a bat before the Braves played the San Francisco Giants on April 23, at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

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