Astro Yuli Gurriel Mocks Asians ... With Racist Gesture

Had he been suspended immediately, Gurriel would have had the right under baseball's Collective Bargaining Agreement to appeal the suspension and play during the World Series in the meantime.

The Houston Astros' first baseman Yuli Gurriel is under fire for making an apparent racist joke directed at Dodgers' pitcher Yu Darvish during Game Three of the World Series Friday night in Houston. After returning to the dugout, television cameras showed Gurriel making a slant-eyed gesture.

"I want to apologize to [Yu Darvish]", Gurriel said, "and tell him I did not mean to offend him".

He added: "I am truly sorry to the players for how this has impacted them and the perception that it has created of me which could not be further from the truth". "I was commenting that I did not have any good luck against Japanese pitchers in the United States". Darvish is of Japanese and Iranian descent. He signed a five-year deal with the Astros in July 2016 and appeared in 36 games last season. The Astros and Major League Baseball pride ourselves on the diversity of our sport and in showing great respect to all cultures represented by our players, front office staff, fans and members of the media.

Gurriel is a native of Cuba who played for the Yokohama DeNA Baystars of the Japanese Central League in 2014. Gurriel may be punished, including a possible suspension during the World Series. "They don't like that, but I didn't mean to do it". An MLB spokesperson said in a statement, "We are aware of the situation and the Commissioner intends to speak with the player tomorrow". "Houston has Asian fans and Japanese fans", Darvish noted through a translator after the game.

Darvish tweeted a response after the game, saying, "What he had done today isn't right, but I believe we should put our effort into learning rather than to accuse him". "I sincerely apologise to everyone I offended with my actions". Gurriel homered and doubled in Game 3 and is batting.346 in the postseason.

In particular, he was 1-for-7 with one strikeout this season against Darvish. He then called for Gurriel to learn from the mistake. It's unclear if the league will discipline Gurriel. "Since we are living such a wonderful world, let's stay positive and move forward instead of focusing on anger". "I'm counting on everyone's big love".