Jays' Clement responds to O's broadcaster for baseball IQ comment

Toronto Blue Jays utility player Ernie Clement wasn't impressed by a comment from Baltimore Orioles broadcaster Brian Roberts during Friday's game about the baseball IQ of Canadian fans.

"I've got to be real, real careful with what I say, but sometimes we had some major questions about the baseball IQ of some Canadians here and there," Roberts said after fans booed a pickoff attempt at first base Friday.

"At times, it felt like maybe they enjoy or knew a little bit more about hockey than baseball."

Clement said he expected better from Roberts, who spent 13 years playing for the Orioles in the AL East before becoming a broadcaster.

"I'm surprised that (Roberts) would say that," Clement told Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star.

"He played in this division and played against this team for a long time, and it's a shame that's how he feels. The more I play here and the more I get to know the people in Toronto, the more I gain a respect for what they know about baseball."

Clement, who's in his third season with the Blue Jays, didn't stop there and took a jab at Baltimore's home support.

"We get 40,000 a night here," he said. "I mean, they probably get 5,000 a night, so it makes sense that you'd be a little salty about that."

Roberts apologized for his comment during Sunday's contest between the Blue Jays and Orioles. The Blue Jays went on to beat the Orioles 11-2 on Sunday to earn the series sweep.

The Blue Jays rank ninth in the majors in attendance this season, drawing 34,548 fans per game, according to Baseball Reference.

Meanwhile, the Orioles sit 23rd, averaging 22,055 per contest.