Stephen A. War of words between Smith and jonathan papelbon Have continued.
the former boston red sox Smith came under fire after criticizing Mike Trout’s lack of availability following the three-time All-Star’s meniscus injury.
Smith said he was “disappointed in his lack of availability,” asking how Trout could be injured “forever.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Stephen A. Smith said he was “annoyed” by Mike Trout’s lack of availability. (Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images)
“It’s baseball, half the time, you’re all standing in the outfield chewing pumpkin seeds or something…” Smith said on “First Take” earlier this week. “With these obliques, you’re running around the bases, catching one, then you’re running for a fly ball, and all of a sudden, something goes wrong. What’s going on?”
Papelbon seemed to understand Smith’s point, leading him to call the media mogul “racist” and “xenophobic.”
“The game doesn’t need that. Everybody wants to be associated with the media, I get it. But at the end of the day, you have to be responsible for the things you say. And until ESPN holds him accountable for it Don’t fool around—he says, guess what? He’s going to keep doing that,” Papelbon said on the “Foul Territory” podcast earlier this week.
Well, Smith returned the punches.
Stephen A. Smith at the SXSW Sports Track on March 11, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Seth Reisig/Sportico via Getty Images)
Mystic Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby in photo finish
Smith said, “I didn’t even know you were a contributor to the podcast until this morning. But I can go tit for tat with you. I wouldn’t disrespect you any more than you disrespect me.” His own podcast episode was released on Friday.
Smith rejected Papelbon’s claim that Smith was banned from the Philadelphia Phillies locker room, saying “that never happened in any game.”
But this took it one step further.
He said, “No disciplinary action was ever taken against me. Because I have never been professionally unethical in my career. This is a lie. Now, I can sue you for telling such lies.” “But I won’t waste my time.”
Smith then addressed the “racist” claim.
“I think when people mention the word ‘racist,’ if they see you and I sitting together, I think they’ll look at you before they look at me,” he said.
Stephen A. Smith reacts after throwing a ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on September 21, 2023. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Smith said, “I’m a black man. We have a history of experiencing racism. And many times, these experiences come because of people who look like you. And I would never think of calling you a racist.” “What you said is wrong, it’s irresponsible, it’s petty. And if there’s any reaction to it, it’s disappointing. Because now that you don’t have a career to play for, I think you should Need help in other areas…grown up, brother.”
for what it’s worth, Trout only played 82 games After playing 119 last year in 2022 and 36 in 2021. He hasn’t played more than 140 games since 2016 (but still won MVP in 2019).