Fans Bash ESPN’s Chris Russo for Comparing Shohei Ohtani Free Agency to ‘Atomic Bomb’
Chris Russo had one of his more memorable appearances on ESPN’s First Take this week, and it wasn’t for a good reason.
On Wednesday, the longtime sports radio personality went on a tirade about Shohei Ohtani’s hushed free agency, specifically complaining about the way the two-time AL MVP has chosen to privately handle individual team meetings.
In the middle of his rant, Russo used what many considered an unnecessary and tactless analogy to an atomic bomb.
“What is the big secret? Jeez, he’s a free agent! He’s talked to six teams. … What is this, the atomic bomb? We’re not allowed to find out? This is baseball. He’s a celebrity. This is what it’s about. This is stupid!”
Chris Russo is not enjoying Shohei Ohtani's free agency tour pic.twitter.com/b6jpmxdsYk
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 6, 2023
Russo continued his World War II-themed commentary by referencing “peace talks in Tehran” and name dropping Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.
“And the idea that we have to treat this as the peace talks in Tehran in World War II is ridiculous … when Stalin and Roosevelt and Churchill got together. It drives me absolutely crazy!”
Given Ohtani’s nationality and the timing of the First Take episode, which aired one day before the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, Russo’s tone-deaf remark opened the floodgates on X (formerly Twitter) as hordes of fans bashed Russo and his insensitive choice of words.
Chris Russo using an atomic bomb analogy for Ohtani’s free agency was actually on my bingo card if you can believe that pic.twitter.com/KGJDTz4R6p
— Brian Schlosser (@brian_slosh) December 6, 2023
there's gotta be a better metaphor out there https://t.co/ETLodeQ4EY
— Josiah???? (@bed_jartlet98) December 6, 2023
Video: American sports commentator Chris Russo compares the secrecy surrounding Ohtani's free agency to the atomic bomb. (not a great analogy to use when discussing a Japanese person) pic.twitter.com/PG8lQReHYT
— Jeffrey J. Hall ???????????????? (@mrjeffu) December 7, 2023
Chris Russo apology tour in 3..2… https://t.co/bF596RzubS
— ohtani and loveisland stan (@willowbrook_17) December 6, 2023
Yeah, Russo, after making an "atomic bomb" quip about a Japanese player, I have no idea why Ohtani wouldn't want to share anything with you either. https://t.co/Tp9utZtVkD
— Mike Oldfield (@TheMikeOldfield) December 6, 2023
Did Mad Dog Russo just completely dismiss Japanese culture while speaking about Ohtani and then ask if the secrecy was like the atomic bomb and peace talks in Tehran? wow! Get that loud mouth off the show #firsttake
— Sam Scarce (@samscarce) December 6, 2023