Alanna Rizzo apologized Friday afternoon for her words against Fox Sports’ Jake Mintz over the use of Orando Arcia’s Bryce Harper comment in the clubhouse.
“I wanted to give a very heartfelt apology to Jake Mintz and the entire BBWAA. What I said yesterday about Jake was completely inappropriate. It was inaccurate and it was beyond unprofessional,” the reporter said on MLB Network’s “High Heat.” “I got caught up in the heat of the moment.
“But I have to say, the media, of course the BBWAA, and the credentialed media do a tremendous job covering the sport that we love and what I said was completely off base. I’ve had an interesting 24 hours and I’ve learned a lot more. I apologized to Jake, I’ve talked to him already. I apologized to him privately and I also apologize to him publicly. They do a good job in the clubhouse and I was completely inaccurate in my assessment of what went down.”
After Game 2, Mintz included a line in his story about Arcia chirping Harper — after he was doubled off to end the only game the Braves took away from the Phillies — saying “ha-ha, atta-boy, Harper!”
There was debate whether or not the comment could be used by the press, with some seeing it as a part of Mintz’s job and others saying the clubhouse comments are off the record unless otherwise agreed upon.
On Thursday, Rizzo voiced her opinion on the subject while at first not mentioning Mintz by name and later doing so.
“And then some jackoff comes in at the end of the season that gets a credential, God only knows why,” Rizzo said. “And the clubhouse is a sacred space. And, remember, I’ve been in clubhouses for the last 16, 17 years. I remember I would go in there, get my job done and get out. That is their space. So for this idiot to go in there and take something out of context just to make him give himself a name is ridiculous.”
“First of all, this guy, Jake Mintz, that’s not even a reporter,” she continued. “That’s taking away from true reporters and true journalists. Where were you on the random Tuesday in April in Cincinnati when this team was playing in Cincinnati? Where were you on a rain delay? And you have to sit in the press box for all of this time. It’s ridiculous.”
Mintz accepted her apology publicly on X on Friday afternoon.
“What Alanna said yesterday was incredibly hurtful/uncalled for. I’m glad she apologized,” he wrote. “One last thing before this moves on: please don’t toss hate (particularly sexist stuff) into her mentions. She fucked up, said sorry. The end. Take the high road. Appreciate you all.”
On Thursday, the Phillies took the NLDS over the Braves for a second consecutive season, and a shirt with Arcia’s comment on it was spotted in the Phillies’ clubhouse during the celebration.
Philadelphia moved on to face the Diamondbacks in the NLCS, which starts Monday.
