Houston: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish emphasised learning not anger over a racial insult aimed at him Friday at the World Series, taking a positive tone after a disappointing nightmare defeat.
Houston slugger Yuli Gurriel, who smashed a solo home run off the 31-year-old Japanese right-hander in the Astros’ 5-3 home victory, appeared to make the insulting racial gesture in the Houston dugout after his blast. The Astros have now taken a 2-1 lead in the World Series.
Television cameras appeared to show Gurriel putting his fingers to the outer edges of his eyes and pulling the skin wider.
“Acting like that was just disrespectful to people all over the world,” Darvish said through a translator. “I feel like the Astros have Asian fans too.”
Gurriel, a Cuban who played in Japan for the Yokohama BayStars in 2014, sparked a four-run Houston outburst in the second inning that chased Darvish off the mound after 1 2/3 innings — the shortest start of Darvish’s career in possibly the biggest game of his life.
But after the contest, Darvish’s poor outing was less of a concern than Gurriel’s actions. And while Darvish did not utter the word forgiveness, it was the spirit he showed to the man who added insult to victory.
“He made a mistake,” Darvish said. “He’ll learn from it. We’re all human beings.”
Well after the game, Darvish released a statement in English on his Twitter account that extended his desire for people to learn from Gurriel’s actions.
“No one is perfect. That includes both you and I. What he had done today isn’t right, but I believe we should put our effort into learning rather than to accuse him,” Darvish wrote.
“If we can take something from this, that is a giant step for mankind. Since we are living in such a wonderful world, let’s stay positive and move forward instead of focusing on anger.
“I’m counting on everyone’s big love.”
Several media reports said Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred plans to speak to Gurriel on Saturday about the gesture before game four of the best-of-seven championship series now led by the Astros 2-1.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch said that Gurriel was “remorseful” about his actions and was planning to issue a statement but none had been forthcoming hours after the game.
“I am aware of it,” Hinch said. “He’s going to have a statement. I know he’s remorseful. But other than that, I don’t know a lot.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was caught by surprise when asked about the gesture after the game.
“I did not see it,” he said. “That’s surprising. No, I didn’t see it.”
Roberts did see the troubles that Darvish was having on the mound, managing only five outs while surrendering six hits.
“The fastball command wasn’t there,” Roberts said. “He just really didn’t have the feel and couldn’t get any type of rhythm going.”
Hinch said that with Darvish struggling to find the strike zone with his slider, Astros batters could be patient and pound his other offerings.
“He didn’t have his normal slider in the strike zone, so we didn’t chase,” Hinch said. “He couldn’t really get it for a strike. It was all over the place.”
