MLB umpire who threatened violence over Trump impeachment inquiry apologizes
Rob Drake, the MLB umpire who tweeted Tuesday threatening to buy an AR-15 for a civil war over the impeachment hearings facing President Donald Trump, has issued a statement apologizing for the tweet, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Thursday,
Umpire Rob Drake, whose viral tweet yesterday about buying a gun for a coming civil war led to an investigation by Major League Baseball that remains ongoing, sent along a statement to ESPN apologizing for the tweet. The full statement: pic.twitter.com/jPYX8ZHpzO
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 25, 2019
Drake’s tweet was deleted shortly after it was posted, but it read “I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! MAGA2020." He quickly locked his account and deleted many of his tweets.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters before Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday that the league is investigating the tweet. Major League Baseball Umpires Association president Joe West initially declined comment on the situation, but the organization released a statement Wednesday.
“Rob is a passionate individual and an outstanding umpire. He chose the wrong way to convey his opinion about our great country. His posting does not represent the view of the MLBUA or reflect those of the umpires we represent,” the statement read.
“The MLBUA supports all of the umpires who ensure fair play in the greatest game on earth. We are a group of individuals with diverse opinions and beliefs, united in our desire to continue our excellence officiating MLB games.”
Drake, 50, debuted as a major league umpire 20 years ago and went full-time in 2010. He worked playoff games in 2010 and 2012-15, according to his MLB bio. He was the home plate umpire for Felix Hernandez’s perfect game in 2012 and worked the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2017.
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