MLB Network broadcaster Jim Kaat apologizes for ’40-acre’ comment

Associated Press
Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 6:27 p.m. | Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 6:27 p.m.

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White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada fields a ground ball hit by Astros second baseman Jose Altuve during the third inning in Game 2 of an American League Division Series on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Houston. Altuve was out at first.

HOUSTON — MLB Network broadcaster Jim Kaat apologized during Friday’s AL Division Series game between the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox after saying teams should try to “get a 40-acre field full of” players who look like Chicago infielder Yoan Moncada.

Kaat, a former All-Star pitcher and longtime commentator for the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins, made the remark in the first inning of Game 2 in response to a comment from broadcaster Buck Showalter about Moncada, who is Cuban.

“After the first time I saw him in the big leagues, I looked around the dugout, like, ‘Do we have one of those?’” said Showalter, who opposed Moncada while managing the Baltimore Orioles.

Kaat replied: “Get a 40-acre field full of them,” a remark that reminded some viewers of the unfilled promise by the U.S. government that freed slaves would receive 40 acres and a mule following the Civil War.

The 82-year-old Kaat apologized during the fifth inning.

“Earlier in the game when Yoán Moncada was at the plate, in an attempt to compliment the great player that he is, I used a poor choice of words that resulted in an insensitive and hurtful remark,” he said. “And I’m sorry for that.”