Colin Cowherd Apologizes To Pedro Martinez, Dominicans For Racist Comments

Colin Cowherd is excited by what the future holds at his new gig at FOX Sports 1. But first, he had some apologizing to do for comments that got him fired at ESPN.

According to a recent interview conducted by the Hollywood Reporter, Cowherd was apologetic for his comments slamming Dominicans as being non-intelligent.

“I chose my words very poorly. I made a mistake. I can be harsh but I don’t think I’m mean. I hurt people with my words and I regret that.”

He also refrained from bashing ESPN for firing him a week early.

“Enterprises need to protect the enterprise. I get that,” Colin said. “But I don’t want that ending to overwhelm what was a great relationship.”

Another relationship he’d like the opportunity to mend is with Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez. Cowherd’s comments caused Martinez to sound off on the radio personality during Hall of Fame week, as reported by the Inquisitr. Martinez took offense to Colin’s rant that Dominicans were uneducated.

“Yes, we don’t have the resources to become more educated,” Pedro responded with. “But you know what, every once in a while you’re going to get one like me, who’s not afraid to tell you how educated or uneducated I am, how proud I am of becoming who I am.”

Cowherd, however, had nothing but good things to say about him in reply.

“I’d love to reach out to Pedro Martinez. I had him on my show about three or four months before I left. There is a Rain Man quality to his baseball knowledge. He was an incredible guest.”

ESPN, meanwhile, hasn’t officially found Colin’s replacement, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is reporting that Dan Le Batard is close to finalizing a deal to take over his former time slot of 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“At ESPN’s urging, Dan Le Batard is expected to move to the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. slot, replacing Fox-bound Colin Cowherd, provided ESPN Radio agrees to contractual terms with Le Batard’s on-air partner, Jon Weiner.”

Le Betard actually came to Colin’s defense following his Dominican rant during his own prime time radio show the day after.

“I’m hispanic… I think we know what he was trying to say,” Le Betard said as reported by the Big Lead. “But we are in a climate where it doesn’t matter you were trying to say, and if we don’t like you, and if have a past near the 3rd rail, we will hold your body of work against you. I was not offended by this.”

Colin Cowherd’s FOX Sports 1 radio show debuts September 8, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. EST.

[Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images]