Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto: Allegations of racism ‘simply untrue’

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto denied allegations of racism and discrimination made against the organization, levied by former Director of High Performance, Dr. Lorena Martin, in an interview with 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny, Dave and Moore on Monday.

MLB investigating allegation of discrimination from Lorena Martin

An interview The News Tribune published Nov. 13 detailed specific allegations from Martin of discrimination by Dipoto, manager Scott Servais, and Director of Player Development Andy McKay. In it, Martin alleged that Latin players had been labeled as “lazy,” “dumb,” and “stupid,” specifically focused on those hailing from the Dominican Republic.

Dipoto, who spoke to Danny, Dave, and Moore Monday following the team’s trade of James Paxton to the Yankees, quickly addressed Martin’s allegations at one point in the interview.

“There is an ongoing MLB investigation, so there’s going to be a limit to which I can comment. I will say, that the accusations are unfounded – simply not true,” said Dipoto.

“I feel terrible personally, I feel terrible for the Mariners organizations, [and] for Scott and Andy, that we’ve been dragged into what has really turned into an ugly mess,” he added.

This follows with statements made by the Mariners, including a statement on the team’s Twitter account that labeled Martin’s accusations as “fabricated, including her statements about reports to Human Resources and specific allegations about people named in the story.”

Added Dipoto: “We’ve carried ourselves in a professional way, treating people the right way each step, and I hope that is read loud and clear here.”

Further fuel was added to the fire Monday afternoon as another story from The News Tribune reported that Leonardo Santiago and Jose Valdez, two of the Mariners’ three trainers at their complex in Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic whose contracts were recently not renewed, also allege Dipoto and McKay of racial discrimination.