MILWAUKEE (AP) — Cincinnati manager Bryan Price is sorry for using foul language in a pregame tirade. Everything in between the bad words remains fair game.
The Reds skipper stood firm on his stance that media shouldn’t report developments he thinks would put his team at a competitive disadvantage.
“I think probably before we get started it’s appropriate that I acknowledge the events of yesterday before the game,” Price told reporters before Tuesday night’s game at Milwaukee.
“I used a lot of bad language that I feel bad for in the aftermath. And I apologize for that. The content between the profanity is exactly how I felt, and I won’t apologize for that under any circumstances,” he added. “What I said was exactly how I felt. So what was your question?”
Price apologized twice in the manager’s office, once in front of TV cameras and again when the cameras were off. He looked reporters in the eyes during his apologies.
Price’s blowup was out of character. The second-year manager is known for being gracious and respectful with reporters, and rarely swears in their presence.
The daily pregame meeting got a lot more heated before Monday’s 6-1 win against the Brewers.
Price was particularly upset over a Cincinnati Enquirer report that catcher Devin Mesoraco wasn’t available to play during a game in St. Louis because of injury. The Reds confirmed on Monday that Mesoraco was in Cincinnati getting tested for a sore hip.
Price also was upset the Enquirer reporter tweeted that catcher Tucker Barnhart was on his flight to St. Louis for the series Friday, an indication he was being called up from the minors.
“It’s nobody’s (expletive) business,” Price said.
The Enquirer counted 77 uses of a common vulgarity during Price’s 5-minute, 34-second diatribe.