The Seattle Mariners have issued a statement in response to a fired staff member, who accused the team of racism.
Dr. Lorena Martin was hired a year ago and given the created position of director of high performance for the Mariners. According to the Seattle Times, Martin was hired to improve the team’s training, conditioning and injury prevention.
The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish reports that Martin was fired last month and the Mariners were trying to avoid paying the remaining two years left on her contract. She hired a lawyer, and things got ugly when she hurled accusations of racism at the team on social media Monday.
The Mariners organization has issues.
The things I’ve witnessed first hand have left me shocked, GM Jerry Dipoto, Manager Scott Servais, and Director of PD Andy McKay speak about players like this
Calling LATINOS, LAZY, DUMB, and STUPID, especially DOMINICANS#discrimination pic.twitter.com/ie5uxyxq15— Lorena Martin (@LMHighPerform) November 12, 2018
It’s come to the point where I have to speak out because they are firing innocent trainers for trying to do the right thing and because of their color/race.
#ESPN— Lorena Martin (@LMHighPerform) November 12, 2018
Seattle responded with a statement shortly after Martin’s accusations.
Here is the #Mariners statement in response to Dr. Lorena Martin's claims: pic.twitter.com/dUhPBJ0Kat
— Tim Booth (@ByTimBooth) November 13, 2018
“Lorena Martin was relieved of her duties with the Mariners on Oct. 10, 2018.
“While it is our policy to not comment on personnel issues, we do feel it is important to respond to the outrageous, false claims made by her today on social media. And to note that Martin did not make any of these false allegations until after she was relieved of her duties.
“The Mariners categorically deny that any member of our management or coaching staff made racist remarks regarding any of our players or staff. Additionally, we have not terminated (or threatened to terminate) any trainers during the off-season.”
The Mariners were apparently considering reducing Martin’s role before dismissing her. Now that she’s been fired and the Mariners are trying to avoid paying her, things have gotten ugly.
