Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
In her long and accomplished career, Suzyn Waldman has endured numerous forms of abuse and harassment, from MLB players, fans and members of the media.
Her crime? Broadcasting Yankees games on TV and radio while being a woman.
Waldman, the first woman to call a World Series game, blazed a trail that many followed. And now she is watching as the Houston Astros seemingly demonstrate how deep-seated misogyny remains a problem in the game.
"You think it's changing," Waldman told SNY on Tuesday. "You work for decades to try to make things easier for the women coming along behind you. Can it really be all for nothing?"
On Saturday night, Astros assistant GM Brandon Taubman yelled "Thank god we got Osuna" at a group of women reporters, one of whom wore a domestic violence awareness bracelet.
The Astros traded for closer Roberto Osuna while he was serving a suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy.
After Sports Illustrated wrote of the incident involving Taubman, the Astros released a belligerent statement, accusing SI of irresponsible journalism:
"The story posted by Sports Illustrated is misleading and completely irresponsible," the team wrote. "An Astros player was being asked questions about a difficult outing. Our executive was supporting the player during a difficult time. His comments had everything to do about the game situation that just occurred and nothing else -- they were also not directed toward any specific reporters. We are extremely disappointed in Sports Illustrated's attempt to fabricate a story where one does not exist."
Multiple eyewitnesses quickly confirmed the details reported by SI, calling into question the veracity of the team's statement. Taubman and Astros owner Jim Crane struck a different tone in statements released Tuesday.
Astros Assistant GM Brandon Taubman and owner Jim Crane have released the following statements: pic.twitter.com/6v5nfXQNCE
- Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) October 22, 2019
Additionally, MLB released a statement noting that they will "interview those involved before commenting further."
To Waldman, who was working a Yankees postgame show for WFAN in the other clubhouse on Saturday, the situation proved disheartening.
"There will always be someone without a moral compass enabling abusive behavior of those throwing a baseball or a football," she said. "But throwing it in a woman's face? I know there are people at MLB that take this seriously. Hopefully they will act, and swiftly. This is totally unacceptable. I can't remember being this angry nor this distraught in a long time."
