In the minutes before Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday, new Fox baseball analyst Keith Hernandez made a comment on the pregame show he may want back.
After fellow analyst David Ortiz pretended to lick Hernandez in reference to Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, Hernandez put his hand on Ortiz’s shoulder and said, “I’m from San Francisco, bro.” The comment sure seemed to be a reference to San Francisco’s gay community.
Many fans caught the remark and were not amused, accusing Hernandez of homophobia.
https://twitter.com/brookish/status/925872345394192384
https://twitter.com/BethMansfield/status/925869787535761408
https://twitter.com/Bluedanethor/status/925871605246554114
#keithhernandez are you a homophobic? You’re an asshole! #worldseries #mlb #astros #hr4hr #gays pic.twitter.com/HWoMBLgWxY
— Lisa Lencheski Hackman (@MommaHack18) November 1, 2017
Yes, focus on whether or not Keith Hernandez said he's not from or from San Francisco. Not the homophobic crap he just spewed.
— Christopher Crawford (@Crawford_MILB) November 1, 2017
Not a good look #KeithHernandez https://t.co/DWLAILStV2
— Lil' Suzy Greenberg (@suzy_greenberg) November 1, 2017
And then Keith Hernandez makes a gay joke about San Francisco….
— Paul Sporer (@sporer) November 1, 2017
@MLBONFOX Did Keith Hernandez make a gay reference when Papi said Puig would kiss him? He said " not in San Francisco"
— Cesar (@bparivas) November 1, 2017
Much like his mustache and prowess, Keith Hernandez’s jokes were better in 1985. #WorldSeries
— jmfedota (@jmfedota) November 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/cecil_leep/status/925869448770318340
Hernandez may wind up having to eat crow for this one.
UPDATE: Through a spokesman, Hernandez issued the following statement:
“I made a poor attempt at humor and never intended for it to be taken the wrong way. I am from San Francisco and as baseball fans know, the Dodgers/Giants rivalry runs deep. I did not grow up a Dodger fan and when it came down to Giants vs. Dodgers, I rooted for the Giants. I apologize if any offense was taken.”
About Alex Putterman
Alex is a writer and editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. He has written for The Atlantic, VICE Sports, MLB.com, SI.com and more. He is a proud alum of Northwestern University and The Daily Northwestern. You can find him on Twitter @AlexPutterman.