MLB Network broadcaster Jim Kaat apologised on Friday after saying teams should try to “get a 40-acre field full of” players who look like Chicago infielder Yoan Moncada during an AL Division Series game between the Houston Astros and White Sox.

Kaat, a former All-Star pitcher and longtime commentator for the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins, made the remark in the first inning of Game 2 in response to a comment from broadcaster Buck Showalter about Moncada, who is Cuban. The comment occurred in the first inning of the contest.

“After the first time I saw him in the big leagues, I looked around the dugout, like, ‘Do we have one of those?’” said Showalter, who opposed Moncada while managing the Baltimore Orioles, according to Associated Press inputs.

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In reply, Kaat said, “Get a 40-acre field full of them,” a remark that reminded some viewers of the unfilled promise by the US government that freed slaves would receive 40 acres and a mule following the Civil War. 

The 82-year-old Kaat apologized during the fifth inning.

“Earlier in the game when Yoán Moncada was at the plate, in an attempt to compliment the great player that he is, I used a poor choice of words that resulted in an insensitive and hurtful remark,” he said. “And I’m sorry for that.”

Kaat, who won 16 consecutive Gold Glove awards as a pitcher between 1962 and 1977, has been broadcasting since his playing days ended in the early 1980s. He won the 1982 World Series as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.

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In the game, Houston Astros beat Chicago White Sox 6-1 in Game 1 of their AL Division Series on Thursday.

Michael Brantley added two hits and two RBIs as the AL West champions showed off their playoff experience in an impressive opening performance. McCullers allowed four hits in 6 2/3 innings in his eighth career postseason start.

With inputs from the Associated Press