92.9’s Mike Bell causes controversy with sexist tweets

?UPDATE, 4:45 p.m.: Mike Bell has released a statement posted on 92.9/The Game’s website. You can read his full message below:
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??? As some of you may have heard, I said something really stupid on Twitter last night directed at Jessica Mendoza, the analyst on last nights ESPN Wild Card broadcast. What I said was hurtful and I want to take this opportunity to say to Jessica that what I said was dumb and hurtful and I apologize for putting that garbage on Twitter. I have reached out to ESPN so I can have the opportunity to speak with her and hopefully apologize to her in person.
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? As someone who knows how hard it is to get a career in sports broadcasting started, I know what I said was totally insensitive and demeaning to Jessica and to all the women working in this industry, including the many women I work with here at CBS Radio Atlanta, who I also owe a big apology to.
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? The last thing I wanted to do was create drama for my coworkers who, unfortunately, get tainted because of my stupid remarks, and have to answer questions about what I said. I especially want to apologize to my partner Carl Dukes, who now has to deal with the fallout of my screw up.
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? I also want to express my apologies to our advertisers and sponsors, and to our sports team partners. They have all made a commitment to this radio station and I let them all down big-time.
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? Moving forward, I can honestly tell you that I fully understand how hurtful the things I say on-air and social media can be. There is no place for that kind of stuff on our show. I will be more mindful and respectful in how I express my opinions and hope I become a better talk show host, but more importantly a better person.
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? This has been a real eye-opening experience and I hope I can put the lesson learned from it to good use.??
?ORIGINAL POST: 
?So last night the Houston Astros took on the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card playoff, and one person keeping tabs on the action was 92.9/The Game’s Mike Bell. Bell, via Twitter, voiced his displeasure with the fact that the color commentator for the game was Jessica Mendoza, a gold medal-winning softball player who was the first-ever female baseball analyst in the history of ESPN.
? embed-1 Needless to say, Bell’s comment drew the ire of folks on social media, and landed the host of the afternoon show “Dukes and Bell,” (a Readers Pick for Best of Atlanta this year) into war of words with other Twitter users. Rather than admit fault, Bell only added fuel to the fire, calling out the “PC Twitter police,” and verbally sparring with users.
? embed-3 In his corresponding tweets (which have since been deleted), Bell argued that an actual Major League Baseball player or someone who actually played the sport of baseball was better-suited to fill the role. Though there was some users who sided with Bell, things got even worse when he decided to respond with a reference from Anchorman.
? embed-4 According to the AJC, Bell read a pre-taped apology on air today, and has been suspended. John Michaels will take over in the interim. However, it seems the damage has already been done, as one of 92.9/The Game’s largest professional sports partners aired their disgust with his actions. embed-2The AJC also conducted a poll, asking users to share their thoughts on what should be Bell’s future. At press time more than 60 percent of readers believe that he shouldn’t be punished and everyone should move on, whereas less than 20 percent believe he should be fired. 
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? Thoughts?