Baltimore Orioles announcer Kevin Brown released a statement on Friday after his controversial suspension made headlines earlier this week, and many fans are not buying his response.
Brown reportedly drew the ire of Orioles brass after simply stating facts during a July 23 broadcast. The incident in question can be seen here.
The Orioles allowed Brown to return to the booth on Friday for the team’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners. Hours before his first broadcast since at least July 30, Brown went on Twitter to try and defuse the tension surrounding his suspension.
In a 4-tweet thread, Brown emphasized that he did not want to take any attention away from the league-leading Orioles. He further stated that his relationship with the Orioles had been “mischaracterized.”
“Unfortunately, recent media reports have mischaracterized my relationship with my adopted hometown Orioles,” said Brown. “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!”
A few Orioles fans were convinced that Brown likely did not make the statement under his own volition. Some even likened it to a kidnapping or hostage situation.
@FBI we have a hostage situation
— Jared – 🏒13+21 Forever🏒 (@JaredMcCLT) August 11, 2023
Blink twice if you’re being kidnapped
— Trident True (@TridentTruee) August 11, 2023
Whoever this is, please give Kevin his phone back.
— Elite Sports Group (@elitebbclub) August 11, 2023
Others believed Brown’s tweets to be a statement crafted by the Orioles’ PR department.
Wow. PR department whipped up a good statement huh?
— vex (@_new_era3) August 11, 2023
Forced statement
— Travis Vymos (@phins_aggies) August 11, 2023
Brown began calling Orioles games on radio in 2019. He took over as the full-time TV announcer last season.
