Kaat uses offensive description for Yanks’ Cortes

DETROIT — Minnesota Twins broadcaster Jim Kaat referred to New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes as “Nestor the Molestor” during a broadcast Thursday, the second offensive remark in the past year by the 83-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher while calling a game.

As Minnesota’s Chris Archer struck out Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera, Kaat began to explain that Cortes had become one of his favorite pitchers during a breakout season with New York. Kaat stated

“‘Nestor The Molestor,’ Nestor Kortes.” “Angles and different speeds. He is a pitcher. After the broadcast, “

Twins vice-president of communications and content Dustin Morse spoke to Kaat about the comment.

“Obviously, we take these matters seriously and, like in all cases, will handle this internally and privately,” Morse said.

Kaat intended to contact Cortes and talk with the pitcher about the matter. Morse stated

“Jim meant nothing but good will.”

After the Yankees swept a day-night doubleheader from the Los Angeles Angels, Cortes said he had heard about Kaat’s comment.

” I’m sure he didn’t mean it, and people do make mistakes but it didn’t offend me at any point,” Cortes said to The Associated Press.

“I don’t really have much more than that, honestly. “

Cortes was affectionately known as “Nasty Nestor” among Yankees fans. He went 5-1 with a 1. 50 ERA to begin this season. To win the first game in the doubleheader, he pitched seven scoreless innings against Angels.

Kaat, a longtime commentator who has also worked for the Yankees and MLB Network, apologized in October after saying teams should try to “get a 40-acre field full of” players who look like White Sox infielder Yoan Moncada.

His comment about Moncada reminded some viewers of the unfilled promise by the U.S. government that freed slaves would receive 40 acres and a mule following the Civil War. He apologized later in that game between the Houston Astros and White Sox.

“Earlier in the game when Yoan Moncada was at the plate, in an attempt to compliment the great player that he is, I used a poor choice of words that resulted in an insensitive and hurtful remark,” he said. “And I’m sorry. “