Jessica Mendoza has now been part of ESPN's No. 1 broadcast crew for over a year. But for some, the idea of a female calling MLB postseason games is unacceptable. Enter Astros minor leaguer Brooks Marlow.
.@astros Here is the screenshot pic.twitter.com/ddovXUUU0J
— Neil Weinberg (@NeilWeinberg44) October 6, 2016
Marlow did not hang around to defend his hot take. After this tweet began circulating, Marlow deleted the post and made his account private.
Of course, the damage was already done for the 23-year-old infielder, who hit .261 in 92 at-bats for Quad Cities (A) and .205 in 258 at-bats for Lancaster (A+) in 2016. The Texas Longhorns alum, who was selected in the 29th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, made an impression on the organization Wednesday. Although, it was not done the way either side wanted it to happen.
Marlow and the Astros both issued apology tweets.
Here's the Brooks Marlow apology tweet that was deleted. #Astros pic.twitter.com/JaOJFlneGD
— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) October 6, 2016
The Astros have released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/AiZjFKKCRQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 6, 2016
It is not worth belaboring the point here, but it needs to be noted this is unacceptable in 2016. Mendoza, a former U.S. women's national softball team star, has been analyzing baseball for a few seasons now and must be judged as an equal to her male counterparts. If individuals like Marlow think she is a poor broadcaster, they are entitled to their opinion. But specifically calling out her gender is immature, lazy and narrow-minded.
Okay, time to move on from this. To the rest of the sports world, learn from this incident and don't be sexist. And don't just hold back sexism on Twitter. Don't think it.
The Twitter world rallied around Mendoza Wednesday night into Thursday morning:
LOL. All I know is @jessmendoza never hit .205. More like double that. Every year. https://t.co/avd1aXzt5U
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 6, 2016
Luckily, Brooks Marlow will never have to worry about playing in a game that Jessica Mendoza is calling.
— Jor-El (@jorel1876) October 6, 2016
How could you listen to Jessica Mendoza and not think she knows a ton about baseball? Well I know how--being sexist. But damn she's good
— Auntoplasma (@magoplasma) October 6, 2016
I'm willing to bet Jessica Mendoza knows more about the game than Brooks Marlow, ha.
— Amy Lawrence (@ALawRadio) October 6, 2016
Unlike #BrooksMarlow #JessicaMendoza has accomplished more in her life & career than Brooks ever will She is a pioneer & a role model #astos
— rõzy (@phinnyphin) October 6, 2016
Hey Brooks Marlow what makes you more qualified to make comments about Jessica Mendoza? You were a 29th round pick #BrooksMarlow #sexist
— Solomon Tucker (@babesandballers) October 6, 2016
#BrooksMarlow you're just jealous because she made it to the big leagues! @espn #MoneyWhereYourMouthIs https://t.co/dPtNSnyyvT
— Erin Wold (@ErinEWold) October 6, 2016
Why is this still a thing? Women watch sports and work in sports. It's not going away. And .220 that is all. https://t.co/FIZBu5I4tK
— Wendy Adams (@wendyradio) October 6, 2016
Dears @astros ... Brooks Marlow is a 29th round pick who hit .220 this season. If you care about his sexist tweet, cut him... @MLB
— JLynn (@J_L1212) October 6, 2016
Brooks Marlow's tweet about Jess Mendoza is just further proof of why we need her and other female broadcasters.
— Christina M (@ChristinaMets15) October 6, 2016
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.