Mets Broadcaster: 'Women Don't Belong in the Dugout'

AOL News ^ | April 23, 2006 | AP

[TexCon]

SAN DIEGO (April 23) - Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez's comments that women "don't belong in the dugout" drew criticism Sunday from Padres manager Bruce Bochy, who supported the female member of his training staff and said he was surprised her gender even came up.

Hernandez made the remarks during the second inning of New York's 8-1 victory in San Diego on Saturday night. Mike Piazza homered for the Padres and exchanged a high-five in the dugout with 33-year-old Kelly Calabrese, the Padres' massage therapist.

"Who is the girl in the dugout, with the long hair?" Hernandez said. "What's going on here? You have got to be kidding me. Only player personnel in the dugout."

Hernandez found out later in the broadcast that Calabrese was with the Padres training staff.

"I won't say that women belong in the kitchen, but they don't belong in the dugout," Hernandez said.

Hernandez, a former Mets first baseman, then laughed and said: "You know I am only teasing. I love you gals out there - always have."

Bochy said before San Diego's 7-4 win over New York on Sunday that he did not hear firsthand what Hernandez said but was told about it - and was not amused.

[RichInOC]

Keith, it's not going to matter much whether you dye your hair or not if you talk about women like that.

[Old Landmarks]

Do they belong in the men's dressing room or the men's shower room also? Not before the leftist, moral relativist's influence came home to roost.

[sully777]

---

Keith Hernandez starred in Seinfeld: The Boyfriend Parts I and II

JERRY: Newman, Kramer, if you'll indulge me. According to your story Keith passes you and starts walking up the ramp then you say you were struck on the right temple. The spit then proceeds to ricochet off the temple striking Newman between the third and forth rib. The spit then cam off the rib turned and hit Newman in the right wrist causing him to drop his baseball cap. The spit then splashed off the wrist, Pauses In mid air mind you- makes a left turn and lands on Newman's left thigh. That is one magic luggie.

[Maximus of Texas]

Man crush.

[Softballmom]

Keith a a baseball "purist" and the rules do state that only the players, coaching staff, the trainer and assistant trainer are allowed in the dug out. I believe Ms. Calabrese was there in the capacity as massage therapist and was there in addition to the trainers. As far as the "women" comment..... who cares? I'm a woman and I'm not offended. People need to lighten up.

[RayChuang88]

Ah, gee--I wonder will he win ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike in the Morning "Just Shut Up" award?

[gopwinsin04]

'Theres no crying in baseball!'

[socal_parrot]

I wouldn't think that Ms. Calabrese would have to worry much about being sexually harassed by Mike Piazza. I mean, her being female...

[KevinB]

I think it's just as easy to interpret Keith's comment as showing respect rather than disrespect for women. I imagine there's a lot that goes on in the dugout that women might find offensive. When growing up I remember being told that it's not respectful to curse, spit, scratch oneself, etc., in front of a woman. All of that stuff certainly goes on in a dugout. Maybe Keith was saying a dugout is not the kind of place any respectable woman should want to be. Of course, it's much easier and grabs more attention for the woman in this case to portray herself as an offended victim.

[conservativebabe]

I don't see what the big deal is. I'm am definitely no feminist, but more of a traditionalist. It isn't that I think that women shouldn't be permitted to do certain things or be certain places, just that we ought to have respect for traditional roles. The fact that women were not welcome at the Citadel, doesn't bother me. The fact that women as a rule, don't play in the PGA, doesn't bother me. They have their own league. If there are clubs, etc where women are not wanted as members, so be it.

[KevinB]

Every day I am thankful that I was able to find and marry a woman who has exactly the same attitude as you do.

[conservativebabe]

Well, I don't want some guy walking into my spa! ;-)

[TexCon]

Haha! Nice!

[TexCon]

I agree. There are many situations that I could think of where it might be inappropriate for a woman to be present with pro baseball players.

[KevinB]

Well, I don't want some guy walking into my spa!

Yes, exactly, it works both ways.

[bigj00]

Did he know she was a partof the team?

I bet he didn't.

[Softballmom]

From what I understand, no he didn't know. He was speaking from the standpoint that anyone not part of the team was not allowed there.