Jim Kaat makes “40 acre” remark about Yoan Moncada

MLB Network analyst Jim Kaat made things very uncomfortable on Friday.

During Game 2 of the White Sox-Astros ALDS, Kaat, Buck Showalter and Bob Costas’ stand took a moment to discuss the physique of Chicago infielder Yoan Moncada as he came to bat in the first handle.

“I don’t know what you’ve seen from Moncada, but everyone’s talking like this guy should be a star, an All-Star,” Kaat told his stand-mates of the 26-year-old Cuban star.

“This is what they look like,” Showalter replied. “I don’t know about the rest. The first time I saw him in the big leagues, I looked around the dugout and said, ‘Can we have one? This is what they look like.

“Get it a 40-acre field,” Kaat said.

Kaat’s squeaky wording implied a reference to slavery. Freed slaves were promised 40 acres and a mule after the Civil War.

News of his remarks returned to Kaat, who apologized early in the fifth round.

“Earlier in the game, when Yoan Moncada was at home plate trying to compliment the great players that he is, I used the wrong choice of words which resulted in an offensive and callous remark,” he said. . “And I’m sorry for that.”

Kaat is the latest MLB analyst to apologize for a poor choice of words this season. Diamondbacks analyst Bob Brenly has apologized to Marcus Stroman for his comments on the Mets pitcher’s du-rag, and Tigers color analyst Jack Morris has been suspended for mocking him. Angels’ double threat, Shohei Ohtani, with an Asian accent.