Broadcaster Bob Brenly apologizes for comment that Marcus Stroman says had 'racist undertones'

PHOENIX — Diamondbacks broadcaster Bob Brenly apologized Wednesday for his comment about Marcus Stroman’s hair covering the night before.

"During last night’s game, I made a poor attempt at humor and was insensitive and wrong," Brenly said in a statement released by the Diamondbacks. "I apologize to Marcus Stroman and have reached out directly to share those thoughts. I have had several conversations with the D-backs and we agree that seeking sensitivity training is an important step so that I can continue to learn from my mistakes in order to be better in the future."

Brenly’s remark came during the bottom of the fourth inning of Bally Sports Arizona’s broadcast of Mets-Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. As Stroman pitched to Josh Reddick, Brenly said, "I’m pretty sure that’s the same du-rag that Tom Seaver used to wear when he pitched for the Mets."

Stroman reacted via social media Tuesday night after the Mets’ walk-off loss and Wednesday morning.

"Onward and upward...through all adversity and racist undertones. The climb continues through all!" he wrote on Twitter and Instagram.

Manager Luis Rojas said he was "disappointed immediately" when he heard the comment from Brenly, 67, a former major-league player, coach and manager who led the Diamondbacks to the 2001 World Series championship and who has been on the Arizona broadcast team since 2013.

"If it was like a joke or something, I didn’t get it. And I know a lot of people didn’t get it," Rojas said. "I just think it’s completely inappropriate."

Stroman retweeted 22 messages supportive of him, many of which described the comment and/or Brenly as racist and two of which called for Brenly to be fired. He also sent a tweet advertising that du-rags branded under his clothing line are "coming soon."

In a subsequent missive, Stroman shared a screenshot of vulgar direct messages, including racial slurs, from someone on Instagram. He added, in part: "I receive messages like this more often than y’all can comprehend. To my young athletes out there who deal with this...never allow outside hate to sway your internal mentality. Rise above!"

Davis down

J.D. Davis (sprained left hand) is shut down again after experiencing discomfort when he began swinging during the weekend. He is not close to going on a rehab assignment.

Extra bases

New Mets infielder Travis Blankenhorn on being with four organizations in the past three weeks: "It’s been a very crazy month . . . My car is in Oklahoma City. I got some belongings in St. Paul. Some in Tacoma. I got stuff everywhere." . . . Mets rotation against the Padres beginning Thursday: Taijaun Walker, TBA, Jacob deGrom, Stroman. The unannounced day is lined up to be former Padre Joey Lucchesi’s.