San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Derek Holland. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - San Francisco Giants pitcher Derek Holland has apologized after a television interview during which he used a mock Asian accent.
Holland expressed remorse while talking to reporters Thursday in the visiting clubhouse at Citi Field while the Giants were in New York for a series against the Mets.
“I want to be held accountable for everything that I’ve done and caused with all of this. It’s embarrassing what I did,” Holland said. “I was just trying to have some fun.
Holland made the racially insensitive joke during an appearance Wednesday on MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk.” He appeared alongside Giants massage therapist Haro Ogawa, whom he introduced as his “hype man” and whom he addressed at various points during the interview.
Holland told reporters he apologized to Ogawa.
The Giants also issued a statement saying the team was disappointed to learn of Holland’s behavior on the show.
“We do not condone that type of behavior nor does it reflect our organizational values,” the team’s statement said. “Derek has taken full responsibility for his actions and has made a public apology.”