New York Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen uses racial slur on Dice K's interpreter

New York Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen used a very offensive racial slur on Daisuke Matsuzaka's interpreter during spring training.

Warthen apparently called Dice K's interperter, Jeff Cutler, a "Chinaman" and apologized to him in front of a Wall Street Journal reporter named Stu Woo who happens to be Chinese.

Cutler, who is Japanese, told Woo that he was not offended by Warthen's "joke" to him even though Warthen used a racist slur. 

Woo of course was offended and didn't appreciate hearing that slur. Woo decided to to take Warthen to task and told Mets's vice president of public relations, Jay Horwitz, about the incident.

The Mets have apologized and Warthen as well.

Now I know some Americans will read this and think "What's wrong with saying "Chinaman" about an Asian man? What these people don't realize is that "Chinaman" is just as offensive to Asians as the "N word" is to African Americans.

Woo was rightfully annoyed about Warthen casually using the racial slur but I wonder what kind of repercussions will happen now.

Will the Mets not give Woo player interviews now or not help him out when he needs some quotes from the GM or manager? I don't think Warthen would ever give Woo an interview. Will Woo's media access be restricted?

Covering a team is difficult enough for beat writers and reporters and to piss off the powers that be isn't smart but I commend Woo for standing up and not letting this incident go.

Here is Woo's take on the whole situation.