Al Michaels Sounds Off on Orioles Decision to Reportedly Suspend Broadcaster
As the Orioles continue to face backlash for suspending announcer Kevin Brown, the legendary Al Michaels joined in the conversation with a strong statement for team brass in the wake of the controversial decision.
The Hall of Fame sports broadcaster and longtime NFL voice shared his thoughts on Brown’s suspension for his July 23 comments recapping the Rays’ past success over the Orioles during a Wednesday appearance on ESPN’s Outside the Lines.
Initially, Michaels admitted he first believed the story was “either a joke” or, if it were real, had “much more insidious” reasons behind the suspension. But, after realizing Brown’s factual remarks were the reason for the discipline, Michaels delivered a classic burn aimed at the team and Orioles owner John Angelos, who reportedly made the call.
”I agree that there should be a suspension here, they should suspend the doofus that suspended Kevin Brown,” Michaels said as host Jeremy Schaap chuckled.
"They should suspend the doofus that suspended Kevin Brown."
— Outside the Lines (@OTLonESPN) August 9, 2023
Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Michaels weighs in on Orioles announcer Kevin Brown's removal from team broadcasts. pic.twitter.com/Cav35V7667
Given the sentiment widely shared by MLB fans and pundits around social media, Michaels’s “doofus” comment certainly echoed what many felt about Baltimore’s move.
While Michaels and other prominent names have weighed in since the suspension, Brown, a O’s broadcaster since 2019, had not previously commented until Friday. The 33-year-old is reportedly set to return to booth in the “near future,” per a team official.
“O’s fans - I’m a storyteller. And never want to be a part of the story,” Brown said in a statement. “The most compelling story in baseball right now is the story of the league-leading Baltimore Orioles - the best, most exciting young team in the American League. Unfortunately, recent media reports have mischaracterized my relationship with my adopted hometown Orioles.
“The fact is that I have a wonderful relationship with the organization and our ownership and front office has fully supported me since 2019 when I first came aboard. I ask that everyone disregard the distracting noise of the past few days. I have worked closely with O’s SVP Greg Bader for the past four years, and John Angelos and I have a solid dialogue based on mutual respect. We are all good here in Birdland! I am proud to be an Oriole and call Baltimore home, and there is no place in baseball I’d rather be right now and for the long haul. Go O’s!”