The above video is a play from last nights Reds-Indians game, where Carlos Santana was called safe at second base, when to the naked eye, he certainly seems to be out by a few feet. Umpire Jim Wolf made the call, and after the play motioned to short stop Zack Cozart, signaling that he had juggled the ball, which was why Santana was ruled safe. After the game, Cozart was pretty upset about the call.
“I mean, I don’t want to cause a big thing here, but it’s blatant racism like this that is tarnishing the game of baseball. I don’t know Jim Wolf, and I don’t claim to, but you’re kidding yourself if you think that the color of my skin didn’t factor into that call tonight.”
Later on, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was asked about the play, and upon learning of Cozart’s outburst, he showed everyone a confused face emoticon on his phone. After the gaggle of reporters surrounding him laughed, Phillips followed up his visual gesture, saying “Brandon Phillips only speaks in emoticons now.”. He then flashed a peace sign emoticon, and left the room.
Near the end of Cozart’s time with the media,he was asked if he was aware that both he and Jim Wolf were white guys. Cozart, turning fire engine red, screamed at the reporter “It’s people like you that are part of the problem!”. He then stormed into Dusty Baker’s office, where he sobbed audibly for three hours.
In related news, Carlos Santana could not be reached for comment. After catching wind of Cozart’s comments he was hospitalized, and is currently being treated for exhaustion from laughing too hard.
