Broadcaster suspended for mocking Japanese player with racist accent

Jack Morris, left, regrets his attempt at humor by mocking Shohei Ohtani's accent, right.

Jack Morris, the Detroit Tigers television analyst, has been suspended indefinitely by Bally Sports Detroit after he used an exaggerated accent in describing how the Tigers should pitch to the Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani, a Japanese baseball player who is among the American League's most dangerous hitters with 40 home runs so far this season. He is also the only two-way players in all of major league baseball. As one of Angels' starters he has with a record of 8-1 with a 2.79 ERA.

Bally Sports Detroit issue a statement Wednesday saying it was "extremely disappointed" with Morris' remarks and that the former major league pitcher will undergo bias training "to educate him on the impact of his comments and how he can be a positive influence in a diverse community."

"We have a zero-tolerance policy for bias or discrimination and deeply apologize for his insensitive remark," the network continued.

Morris, made his earlier comment in the top of the sixth inning when Ohtani, was on deck next batter up. The Tigers' play-by-play announcer Matt Shepard asked Morris, a former pitcher, "Now what do you do with Shohei Ohtani?"

“Be very, very careful,” Morris replied in an exaggerated Japanese accent.

Later in the broadcast, Morris said that he "did not intend for any offensive thing and I apologize if I did. I certainly respect and have the utmost respect for this guy and don't blame a pitcher for walking him."

The Tigers also issued their own statement saying that they were "deeply disappointed" with Morris' comments.

"We fully support Bally Sports Detroit's decision and their on-going commitment to ensure that all personnel are held to the highest standards of personal conduct," the team said.