Cubs Apologize For Playing 'Smack My Bitch Up' Over Aroldis Chapman Exit

By Stephen Gossett in News on Aug 15, 2016 4:56PM

Aroldis Chapman / Getty Images / Photo: David Banks

On Sunday night, the Chicago Cubs public address person made a blunder in such unbelievably poor taste, it’s hard to believe it could actually happen. But it did happen: As Cubs closer—and violator of the MLB domestic violence policy—Aroldis Chapman exited the game in the ninth inning, the PA rang out with The Prodigy’s “Smack My Bitch Up.”

As plenty of people on social media have pointed out, it’s insane that that song would be allowed anywhere near the PA to be used in any instance. But the fact that it was played while Chapman appeared is doubly troubling. In October of last year, Chapman fired eight gunshots near his girlfriend and allegedly choked her. He served a 30-day suspension for defying the league’s rules against domestic abuse. He apologized at the time for using a gun, but he never apologized for hurting his girlfriend until last month, when he was acquired by the Cubs.

The acquisition was met with disappointment—or, at the least, ambivalence—by the more progressive wings of sports journalism.

The Cubs issued an apology on Monday, saying the song selection was "unintentional."

The Cubs plan to discipline the responsible DJ, the Tribune reports. The paper said the team called it "accidental timing." But, again, in what circumstance would that song ever constitute good timing? And how of an "accident" could it be to land anywhere near the PA? So far its a pretty sorry response to a pretty sorry stunt.

Update, 12:00 p.m.:
The Cubs have "terminated" their relationship with the responsible employee, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reports. The team will also implement "stronger controls" in regards to music selection at Wrigley.