Stephen A. Smith responds to claims that Jonathan Papelbon is “racist” and “xenophobic” in a 12-minute segment on “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” former M.L.B. He accused Closer of lying and pushing back on claims that he was a racist. He was kicked out of the Phillies clubhouse.
“What does it mean that I’ve been kicked out of the Major League Baseball clubhouse?” Smith said. “I’ve been a reporter and sports commentator for 30 years. I’ve never had that happen in any sport. I’ve never been kicked out of the locker room. I’ve never been kicked out of the clubhouse. … That’s a lie. I could sue your ass for that lie right now, but I won’t waste my time.
The feud began earlier this week on ESPN’s “First Take,” when Smith criticized Angels star Mike Trout after suffering a torn meniscus and questioned why the outfielder always seemed to be injured. It goes back to when he questioned why he couldn’t continue playing baseball in a healthy manner. ”
Papelbon then appeared on “Foul Territory” on Thursday, calling Smith “a total joke and downright shady” and “more narcissistic than Donald Trump.”
“I demand that ESPN do something about it,” Papelbon said during his appearance. “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.”
Mr. Smith, who? Retired from the Philadelphia Inquirer for the second time in 2010responded that Papelbon was not in the clubhouse when he signed with the Phillies after the 2011 season.
He added that the two had never spoken to each other.
“When people bring up the word racist, I think if they saw you and me sitting together, they would look at you before they looked at me,” Smith said. “I’ve never talked about you. You’re irrelevant. At least until today.”
Smith theorized that Papelbon called him a “xenophobe” because of his comments in 2021 that Shohei Ohtani should not be the face of MLB because he “needs an interpreter.” But that was “detrimental to the game,” Smith said at the time.
In his response to Papelbon, Smith said he brought ESPN MLB official Jeff Passan and former ESPN reporter Jun Lee onto the station’s show “to speak out against me.” I reminisced.
“Xenophobia” when appearing in “Foul Territory”. Screen capture via X/@@FoulTerritoryTV
Smith then addressed his controversial comments about Trout and some numbers, namely the games he missed, his contract through 2030, and his lack of a win in the postseason, making him look to play for another team. He explained that this is why he should be allowed to do so. before directly mentioning Papelbon one last time in the video.
“And because I say that, Papelbon, you get on the air without knowing anything about me and call me a racist,” Smith said. “I’m Black. We have a history of experiencing racism. And often those experiences come from people who look like you. And I think you I would never call someone a racist because what you’re saying is wrong, it’s irresponsible, it’s petty, and if you get a reaction, you’re desperate. Because now that my career is gone, I think I need help in other areas.
“That’s the most you can get from me. Grow up, bro. What you said about me sounds like a gross racist, but unless I’m still convinced, I won’t call you that.”
