Photo: Mary Altaffer/AP/Shutterstock; Inset: Fairfax Media via Getty
The Miami Marlins have apologized for joking about the death ofSteve Irwinas part of a Twitter exchange with in-state rivals the Tampa Bay Rays.
The exchange began with the Marlins sharing video of right fielder Brian Anderson throwing out Rays player Austin Meadows at home plate, and ended with the team tweeting about the lateCrocodile Hunterstar.
“yOU’RE LITERALLY THE ANIMAL THAT KILLED STEVE IRWIN LOG OFF,” the tweet, directed at the Rays, read.
Though it received at least 42,000 likes and a decent amount of praise from fans who found it funny, others were not so amused, calling it in “bad taste” and “really really low.”
An apology that focused more on the social media team’s love for Irwin was also shared.
“Hi, guys. Like everyone who grew up watching him, we miss Steve. We’re so sorry to have made light of his passing,” the team wrote on Twitter.
RELATED VIDEO: Terri Irwin On Life After Steve’s Death: ‘I Miss Him But I’m Not Alone’
The Rays, meanwhile, used to be called the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (an animal different from the stingray) but dropped the “devil” in 2007, with the team saying at the time that the name now referred to a ray of sunshine.
Still, it’s not the first time they’ve been controversially linked to the late Irwin, who was also a conservationist and zookeeper.
In 2013, the Rays apologized after mascot Raymond was photographed holding up a sign that featured a “Rays To Do List.” The first task, Steve Irwin, was crossed off, and the second goal was listed as a World Series championship.
“The Tampa Bay Rays regret that this particular sign was displayed in the ballpark, and we apologize for the lapse in judgment,” the statement read.
source: people.com
