D-Backs analyst taking time off after Stroman remarks, discrimination claims

Arizona Diamondbacks commentator Bob Brenly is taking time off amid criticism for the way he's spoken about players of color throughout his career.

Brenly created controversy Tuesday night after commenting on Marcus Stroman's do-rag that the New York Mets pitcher said had "racist undertones." The next day, former Chicago Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez said Brenly judged him and many of his teammates negatively based on their race when he broadcasted games for the Cubs.

"Beginning today, I have voluntarily decided to take some time off to listen, reflect, and devote my attention to awareness training related to diversity and inclusion to enhance my understanding and appreciation of others," Brenly said in a statement to The Athletic's Zach Buchanan. "I plan to return to the booth next homestand (June 11), hopefully a better person."

Brenly also apologized for offending Ramirez, whom he believes to be "one of the most successful players of his generation."

Ramirez, who made two All-Star teams during his tenure with the Cubs between 2003-11, said Brenly called him a "numbers gatherer" when he played in Chicago and that his defense had "fallen off the face of the earth" and base-running "kills you."

"He went after Starlin Castro pretty hard, Geovany Soto pretty hard," Ramirez added, per Buchanan.

The Dominican said he didn't recall Brenly chastising white players in the same way, nor did he experience such vitriol when he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates or Milwaukee Brewers.

"With respect to Aramis Ramirez, Starlin Castro, Geovany Soto, and all of the players who I have covered over the years, I have the utmost respect for their life stories, their talents, and their careers," Brenly said. "Having played the game and managed for many years, I understand how hard it is to play so successfully for such a long time.

"My job for many years has been to talk about baseball, and I have had thousands of opportunities to both applaud and analyze performances and was privileged to witness the career of players like Aramis Ramirez. My job is to describe Major League Baseball and to call it the way I see it - the good and the bad. I have always tried to do so in an honest, unbiased way, regardless of a player's background or race."

Brenly apologized for commenting about Stroman's do-rag after receiving widespread criticism. However, this isn't the first time the broadcaster has made an eyebrow-raising comment. In 2015, he made a quip about Fernando Tatis Jr. wearing a "bike chain around his neck."

Brenly started broadcasting games for the Diamondbacks in 2012. The 67-year-old had a nine-year playing career in the 1980s and managed the Diamondbacks from 2001-04.