In the aftermath of the Orioles’ decision to suspend play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown for pointing out the team’s struggles in recent years against the Rays, people throughout the sport were extremely vocal in criticizing the team over the bizarre move.
Brown was suspended after making comments highlighting how the Orioles had performed against the Rays—specifically at Tropicana Field—before Baltimore’s 5–3 win over the Rays on July 23.
Brown detailed how the Orioles had not won any of their past 16 series in Tampa Bay prior to their most recent trip, in which they won three out of four games. Team owner John Angelos reportedly was not pleased with that segment, which caused the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network to suspend him indefinitely.
Here's the clip of Kevin Brown's pregame comments on the Orioles' recent record against the Rays ahead of a series finale on July 23. Sources tell AA these comments led to Brown's current indefinite suspension from Orioles' broadcasts. pic.twitter.com/csURU04fJU
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 7, 2023
Since the decision to suspend Brown, the team has announced that Brown will be back in the booth soon.
“We don’t comment on employment decisions, however, Kevin Brown will be back with us in the near future,” a team official told The Baltimore Banner.
The apparent backtrack on Brown’s discipline came after plenty of prominent voices around the sport expressed their dismay at Baltimore’s decision to punish the broadcaster for what seemed to be a mild acknowledgment of the team’s objective hard times that predated this season. Check out some notable objections below.
This is very simple. There are facts and opinion.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) August 8, 2023
Kevin recited facts, and only facts.
If he’s been suspended for that, it’s my opinion that it is so small and ridiculous as not to be believed. https://t.co/uZZTD2vPr7
Kevin Brown is one of the most talented, thoughtful, curious, positive people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, working with and calling a friend.
— Jason Benetti (@jasonbenetti) August 7, 2023
He’s truly one of the best play-by-play announcers in the country.
If the Orioles don’t want him, another team’ll be elated. https://t.co/tIUcrIGjBm
the team suspended him for this???
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 7, 2023
one of the most well spoken segments describing a team’s prior struggles juxtaposed against their current success
hard to imagine doing a BETTER job than he did https://t.co/p2i5FHsraO
Reminder that Jon Miller is with the Giants because someone was a big, wet baby when it came to justifiably critical analysis. History repeating itself. https://t.co/ELwT2vtCP2
— Grant Brisbee (@GrantBrisbee) August 7, 2023
Wow. This is an embarrassing suspension by the Orioles. Kevin Brown was simply stating a fact and underlying how good this team has been without being critical. Suspending him for this draws more attention. What a bad look during a fantastic season. https://t.co/5xqCLLdPfV
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) August 7, 2023
This is absolutely ridiculous. Kevin Brown is one of the best broadcasters in the sport. And he’s literally just stating facts and context.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) August 7, 2023
Fans like a measure of impartiality/reality when watching games. https://t.co/F0udy1HFR6
Kevin Brown is a rising star. I have worked with him a number of times. What he did here was spin the truth in a positive Orioles-friendly way. Whoever made this decision is more-off than moron here. https://t.co/h51vAavvZv
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) August 8, 2023
The Baltimore Orioles should be ashamed of themselves. One of the best stories of the year on the field and they suspend one of the best young announcers in the game for this? The producer had to approve the graphic anyway. Kevin will be a star, probably in another team’s booth. https://t.co/OXY1lJmYNR
— Howie Rose (@HowieRose) August 8, 2023
