Anti-Gay Slur Atlanta Braves Coach: “I’m Sorry.” Sort Of.

The Atlanta Braves batting coach, Roger McDowell, who was the subject of a press conference Wednesday, in which all-star lawyer Gloria Allred relayed that McDowell had hurled anti-gay slurs and epithets, and made sexually suggestive motions in a game Saturday, April 23. “I am deeply sorry that I responded to the heckling fans in San Francisco on Saturday. I apologize to everyone for my actions,” McDowell said in a statement issued only hours after the press conference.

READ: Atlanta Braves Coach Accused Of Anti-Gay Slurs, Sexually Suggestive Motions

Roger McDowell, who has a reputation for being a “prankster,” clearly was in the wrong, and responded quickly. But McDowell’s apology, while not of the often-heard, qualified, “if I offended anyone” variety — which automatically indicates a lack of remorse — still sounds, if not unrepentant, then, at least, insufficient.

No one is suggesting there are points for artistic or literary merit in an apology. But along with an, “I’m sorry,” some explanation, some offering of why it was wrong is a basic expectation.

Kobe Bryant, fined $100,000 after a recently ugly incident in which he hurled a homophobic epithet at a referee, although it took him three attempts, ultimately issued an apology and an explanation that hopefully taught some of his fans why he was wrong. (Later, Bryant helped record a PSA warning fans about anti-gay language.)

READ: Kobe Bryant: The Real Outrage Isn’t That He Said “Fag”

We’re still awaiting a similar statement from McDowell. And Major League Baseball.

“Although I do not yet have all the facts regarding this incident, the allegations are very troubling to me,” Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.

“The Atlanta Braves have assured my office that they will immediately investigate the allegations, and report the results of the investigation to me. After I have all the facts, I will make a determination of how to proceed.”

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) had reached out to the Atlanta Braves after news broke of McDowell’s outburst, which included McDowell saying to a group of men, “Are you guys a homo couple or a threesome?,” sexual simulations and motions, and, finally, after being challenged by fans with children, “kids don’t belong at the f***ing ballpark.”

“He picked up a bat, asked me how much my teeth were worth to me,” Justin Quinn, the father of two twin nine-year old girls who had accompanied their dad to Saturday’s game at AT&T Stadium, said.

“McDowell’s apology is a start, but the Atlanta Braves and Major League Baseball must take real disciplinary action and send the message that anti-gay slurs have no place in sports,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “Professional sporting events should be an environment that all fans and families can enjoy, not a place where children are exposed to violent threats and discriminatory language.”

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