Former MLB pitcher and current NESN analyst Jonathan Papelbon hasn’t been shy about sharing his feelings about ESPN talking head Stephen A. Smith.
Papelbon hit back at Smith for comment. Featured hot take artists appear on this week’s “First Take” There, Smith criticized Mike Trout for the torn meniscus suffered by the Angels star.
The comments were not well-received, but Papelbon labeled Smith a “racist,” “xenophobe,” and “fake” and went on to say that during Smith’s time with the Phillies, He took it to another level by claiming he had been banned from the House. Philadelphia Inquirer in the late 2000s.
“That’s not what the game needs.” Papelbon said this during an appearance on “Foul Territory.” on Thursday. “I get that everyone wants to focus on the media. But at the end of the day, you have to be responsible for what you say. And unless ESPN holds him accountable for the stupid things he said, then what? Is he going to keep doing it?”
The former major leaguer later claimed that a clubhouse official told him that Smith had been banned from the clubhouse for allegedly looking into the manager’s office and trainer’s room.
“I’ve always looked at this guy like a complete joke and like something really shady,” Papelbon said. “If you get kicked out of a major league clubhouse, you’ll never be a journalist again.”
Comments about Mike Trout. screen grab
The attacks didn’t end there, with Papelbon going on to call the ESPN personality “more narcissistic than Donald Trump” and “the most narcissistic person I’ve ever met.”
So what is Papelbon’s proposal to control some of what Smith said on the air?
“I demand that ESPN do something about it,” he said. “I demand that ESPN fire him or take a pay cut or do something about it, because honestly no one wants to hear what he has to say. He doesn’t really know what he’s saying because everyone knows it’s for him and his followers… He’s just an idiot who doesn’t know what’s going on.”
Don’t expect Mr. Smith to remain silent about Mr. Papelbon’s comments.
