The Cubs have fired the Wrigley Field DJ who "played an inappropriate song" Sunday night after Cubs P Aroldis Chapman left the mound in the ninth inning, according to Paul Sullivan of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. The DJ played a track titled "Smack My B---- Up," by the English band The Prodigy. Chapman earlier this year was involved in an "alleged domestic-violence incident" in which he was "accused of choking his girlfriend and firing eight bullets in his garage." Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney yesterday in a statement apologized for the "irresponsible music selection." The Cubs "declined to release the name of the DJ" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/16). Sullivan writes Chapman was just "getting comfortable" after being acquired from the Yankees. Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein said, "It should never have happened, and it's unfortunate it did happen. But the organization took today to make sure it will never happen again." The Cubs responded yesterday after a tweet by ESPN's Sarah Spain about the "playing of the song." A source said that the DJ took a "sample of the offensive song from a compilation tape popular with stadiums operations departments at many sports facilities." The source added that the "timing -- right after Chapman's appearance -- was unintentional" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/16). ESPN's Jemele Hill said, “It’s hard to believe the timing of this wasn’t purposeful. ... I would question whether he was on the team or not, why would you have that song to play anyways at a stadium?" ESPN’s Michael Smith added, “Somebody thought they were being funny” (“His & Hers,” ESPN2, 8/15).
PR HEADACHE: In Chicago, Rick Morrissey writes a closer who "throws a baseball 103 mph and fires eight bullets in a rage after an argument with his girlfriend deserves a second chance, but a guy picking out the woman-hating tunes does not." Morrissey: "Welcome to the big leagues, DJ Whomever You Are." The story the Cubs "had thought was buried is very much alive again" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/16). Also in Chicago, Jeff Arnold notes the "inadvertent musical choice has brought the team a public-relations headache" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/16). The Chicago DAILY HERALD's Barry Rozner writes the firing came "only after it became a story, and it only became a story because they hired a pitcher who has a history of domestic violence." Rozner: "This music shouldn't be on any team's playlist, and the Cubs have learned the hard way that even something as simple as song selection must be vetted." It is the "price you pay for bringing in Chapman." For now, the Cubs have "promised that they will be more careful with their music selections and they have removed an employee no one's ever heard of, someone who can't help them win baseball games" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 8/16).
