Hi everyone. First post! I've read and loved SOSH since my years in Boston (2002-2010). While living there, I worked for one of the local sports teams, and then left town to work in network sports. I worked a lot of sports (never baseball, though), both live and then in the edited/doc world, and I got an account mostly to weigh in on football and media matters, so with that said...
I think one of the saddest aspects of all of this is that the first question for many is, "What will happen to Thom Brennamen's job?? Is this cancel culture??" Guys, for a place that loves the game of baseball, this is a huge smear against the game, and a moment that deeply hurt and offended MANY fans, both LGBTQ and non-, myself included. It felt hateful, demeaning, and flat out gross in 2020. The focus needs to be on fixing that damage, and making clear this game is a welcome place for anyone who wants to watch or play the game. Fortunately, players seem to be leading the way.
For a place so aware of the damage done by Tom Yawkey's backwards racism, I'm shocked to see so many chalk this up as a "mistake," or a "hot mic moment". Something "we've all said." Have I said it? Probably, though I can't honestly remember. I was once a younger a-hole in a different time. But that word has been off limits for, conservatively, two decades. Adapt or die. He goes on-air every night using his words and voice as a representative of the Reds and Major League Baseball. How in the hell could he comport himself in that way in that role? And how damaging is it to the game that he acts like that? Our favorite baseball team is struggling with that legacy to this day! So are the Reds, and their history with Marge Schott. And that comes from an era before the internet, where memory is foggy and less is documented. His actions are a disgrace to baseball, have no place in the game-- and are on tape, and trending for all the world to hear.
And here's my other thing. This wasn't "a mistake," a "slip up," or a "hot mic moment." This is CLEARLY who is, and he seems very comfortable being this person on mic to the 20-30 on the production crew that are listening. Why not people at home? The emphasis he put on the word, the way he said it, should make it clear that this wasn't a "mistake". He thought this sort of thing was perfectly acceptable for him to say-- even though he should know better that it is cruel, hateful, and divisive. He clearly just didn't care, or think it mattered if he said it. Which is just appalling. I know the Reds producer and have worked with him-- he is a great guy, and actually a man of faith. But I have had to rethink what I know about him and his producing skill if this how his talent acts around the production crew. I've been on headset with pros in the toughest and loosest moments sports have to offer-- and I was SHOCKED he would say that at all, let alone on headset. It is a clear indictment of not just him, but the atmosphere around that broadcast team. Honestly, if I were the Reds, I wouldn't have him work ever again, and I'd probably suspend the higher ups on that production crew until the end of the year, and take a long hard look at how my team is being represented.
Lastly, if you're MLB or the NFL-- the two sports he does-- how could you ever bring him back? These leagues look at their fan demographics every year, and the reality is that most of their fans are white men over 50 years old. They need to get younger and more diverse. Are you going to risk all that over... Thom Brennamen? Do you want to be the commissioner to go to the league CMOs and broadcast committee, and the 30 team owners and all their CMOs, and say, "I've seen all the same demographic info as you, and I know we need a younger, wider audience... but I've decided to risk that over Thom Brennamen. We don't want to get caught up in cancel culture!" If I was a multi-billionaire who entrusted you to protect the best interests of my league, I'd almost fire YOU on the spot.
This incident was awful, and Thom Brennamen's career direction is about the least interesting part of it. Whatever, he's done... He probably never needs to work again. This may have cost him a second home in retirement or a few vacations, but he is NOT the victim here. He is the abuser. MLB and the Reds don't owe him a second thought, and all efforts should be done to make clear that this was an aberration, it has no place in the sport or world at large, and all fans and players are welcome in the game. That is the ONLY thing that matters.
Well! That was an aggressive first post! Sure you can't wait for more...