Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen apologizes for using racial slur

Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen is seen here with ace pitcher Matt Harvey last season. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

New York Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen apologized Wednesday for using a racial slur in the presence of pitcher Daisuke Matsuaka's interpreter.

According to Wall Street Journal reporter Stu Woo, he was in the Mets locker room on Monday having a conversation with Matsuzaka’s interpreter Jeff Cutler when Warthen apologized to Cutler for calling him a “Chinaman."

According to accounts, the conversation played out like this:

"I'm sorry I called you a Chinaman yesterday," Warthen said.

"It's OK," Cutler said.

"I didn't mean to insinuate -- I know you're not Chinese. I thought it was a pretty good joke, though."

Warthen has been with the team since 2008. He has also coached on staffs with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres and the Detroit Tigers in his career.

"On behalf of the entire organization, I apologize for the insensitive remarks made by of one of our staff members. The remarks were offensive and inappropriate and the organization is very sorry," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said in a statement.

“I apologize for the thoughtless remarks that I made yesterday in the clubhouse. They were a poor attempt at humor but were wrong and inappropriate in any setting.  I am very sorry," Warthen said.

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