Sutcliffe Apology

Sutcliffe apologized tonight.

Sutcliffe issued this statement: "I appreciate the opportunity to address the situation that occurred last night in San Diego. While spending a week off in California, I planned a day of golf and attendance at a ball game as a fan with friends. I want to assure everyone that I was not drinking and driving. Towards the end of a long day on the golf course and evening at the game, I made a brief visit to my former co-workers in the Padres television broadcast booth.

"I was offered the opportunity to make a guest appearance on the air. At that time, I exercised bad judgment and accepted, even though I was not in optimum condition to go on live television. I regret that lapse in judgment and my decision and I sincerely apologize," he said.

You have to wonder why the Channel 4 producer allowed him on the air. It seemed pretty apparent that his speech was slurred from the start. Apparently they cut his mic at some point, it sure took them a long time. It's too bad, somebody at Channel 4 couldn't have helped him out a bit, stopped him from embarassing himself. After all he was employed there last year.

Sucks that the Channel 4 general manager doesn't take any responsibilty for the situation and throws Rick under the bus.

Craig Nichols, general manager of the station, said: "[Sutcliffe] used remarkably poor judgment. I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed for the Channel 4 team, and I'm embarrassed for the viewers."

Oh well, no harm done, he's a happy loving guy when he's had a few. He didn't say anything offensive and he got a ride home, so it's really a non-issue. It's always kind of funny when these things make it to the air though and it was entertaining.