Bob Kendrick says he was criticized for showing compassion to now-fired A’s broadcaster

NBC Sports California on Monday fired Oakland Athletics’ TV broadcaster Glen Kuiper, who used a racial slur while describing a visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Kuiper was suspended after making the comment earlier this month during a pregame show at Kauffman Stadium before the A’s played the Royals. “A person with knowledge of the situation said the decision was based on a variety of factors, including information found in the review,” the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Kuiper issued a statement after being fired.

“On that day, I chose to spend my personal time by educating myself and learning more about MLB’s history by going to the Negro Leagues Museum,” Kuiper wrote.

“In my excitement, I rushed through the word ‘negro’ resulting in my very unfortunate mispronunciation. I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by this. It was a terrible but honest mispronunciation, and I take full responsibility. “Please know racism is in no way a part of me; it never has been and it never will be. I appreciate the Negro League Museum president Bob Kendrick and Dave Stewart’s public support of me in light of this.” While calling the Royals-A’s game on May 5, Kuiper apologized on the air after video from the pregame show was shared on social media. Kendrick released a statement the next day expressing forgiveness for Kuiper.

“I’m aware of the unfortunate slur made by Glen Kuiper,” Kendrick wrote. “I welcomed Glen to the NLBM yesterday and know he was genuinely excited to be here. The word is painful and has no place in our society. And while I don’t pretend to know Glen’s heart I do know that my heart is one of forgiveness. I hope all of you will find it in yourselves to do the same!” During a visit last week on “Dan Abrams Live,” Kendrick explained his reason for issuing the statement about Kuiper’s slur. “For me, it was a no-brainer to forgive a man who had issued an apology,” Kendrick said. “And that’s simply what I did. You know when you do these kinds of things, I’m not doing them for approval, I’m not doing them for applause, I certainly didn’t expect the condemnation that came along with it, but you know all of that comes along with the territory. “But it’s so important for myself that I stay true to who I am as a human being.” Condemnation for showing compassion? Unfortunately, that’s what Kendrick has faced.

“Since I’ve accepted his apology, I’ve been getting a little hate myself for accepting the apology,” Kendrick told the Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara. “It seems almost counterintuitive that you would get hate for forgiving, but that’s the cynical world that we live in, and I understand that and my skin is thick enough to deal with that as well.”