Arizona Diamondbacks' Daron Sutton Not Likely to Return to Broadcast Booth

Arizona Diamondbacks television personality Daron Sutton is not likely to return to the broadcast booth.

AZ Central reported the news that Sutton would be suspended, but gave little information as to why.

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"We made a change in the broadcast talent lineup and Daron will be taking some time off," said Josh Rawitch, the Diamondbacks' senior vice president of communications.

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Speculation has been flying around the state of Arizona since news broke Friday that Sutton would not be in the booth for the foreseeable future. Could it stem from comments made to Arizona Sports 620AM radio hosts Doug & Wolf?

On June 8, Sutton joined the weekday afternoon duo to talk about RF Justin Upton and currently rehabbing SS Stephen Drew.

Managing partner Ken Kendrick has been openly critical of Upton and Drew. He called Upton an “enigma” and said it’s time for him “to be a consistent performer.” While that may be true, his comments about Drew are more reckless and confusing.

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“I think Stephen should have been out there playing before now, frankly,” Kendrick said. “I, for one, am disappointed. I’m going to be real candid and say Stephen and his representatives are more focused on where Stephen is going to be a year from now than on going out and supporting the team that’s paying his salary.”

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Drew responded in an interview later in the week: “I understand Ken’s frustration,” Drew told MLB.com. “I was just disappointed that he questioned my integrity.”

During the radio interview with Doug & Wolf, Sutton stated he felt Drew was justified in feeling disappointed, and that calling out a player whose leg had to be turned around to face the right way is a “very, very dangerous area to go into.”

He added, “The only people who can probably get away with it are the guys who write the checks.”

It is unknown what exactly happened to cause the suspension, but we do know that Sutton was not in the booth this weekend for the team’s three-game series with the Chicago Cubs—nor will he be in Atlanta with the team early in the week.

No one knows whether Sutton will be retained at all. This story is not complete. Expect more from both sides in the coming days.

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