Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell had the look of a humbled man in his return to Turner Field on Friday after a two-week suspension for anti-gay comments and actions toward fans in San Francisco.
He spoke with members of the media Friday afternoon with tears in his eyes, choking up multiple times, as he read from a statement and answered questions.
“These past two weeks,” McDowell said, then paused a full seven seconds before continuing. “... have been very humbling, emotional, and a reflective time for me and my family to better understand about what has happened. I have and will continue to learn from this and have committed to being a productive member of the Atlanta Braves organization and to this coaching staff.”
McDowell was fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball and ordered to undergo sensitivity training, which he said is ongoing. He issued another apology Friday.
“I would like to apologize to anyone who was offended by my actions,” McDowell said. “I am not proud of the way I acted, and I know it will not happen again.”
McDowell said he spoke by phone to Justin Quinn, 33, the Giants fan who voiced the complaint after interacting with McDowell at an April 23 Giants-Braves game at AT&T Park. He said he apologized to Quinn and his family, but did not expand further, calling it a “private conversation.”
McDowell also declined to give his side of what took place during the exchange that afternoon during batting practice, or to debate any complaints made against him.
“My feeling is that this is something I’ve learned from,” McDowell said. “What happened, the volleying of what was said or what was done and what was not said or done, I don’t think is something that needs to be rehashed because I don’t think it is productive in any aspect.”
McDowell was eager to get back to coaching. The only connection he had for two weeks was watching the Braves on television and charting pitches from his Marietta home. He has kept in regular contact with manager Fredi Gonzalez, his neighbor, but he could not be involved in game situations.
Just putting on the uniform Friday was a special moment for McDowell. “I’ve always said this is the best office in the world,” said McDowell, pausing, eyes red. “And when I put the uniform back on, I felt how fortunate I am to be able to put this uniform on and represent the organization.”
McDowell said he was greeted warmly in the Braves’ clubhouse by coaches and players whom he considers family. “It’s a special feeling,” he said.
McDowell said he’ll continue to interact with fans like he has throughout his career as a pitcher and a coach.
“I always have fun when I come to the ballpark, whether that’s interacting with the players or the pitchers or the fans or anybody else that I come in contact with,” McDowell said. “... Hopefully I’ll be myself and just from the standpoint of things that may come up, I think I’ve learned to have a better objective of how to handle those situations.”
