#Cubs great Mark Grace apologizes for calling ex-wife a ‘dingbat’

Cubs legend Mark Grace is in hot water over offensive comments made on-air on Saturday in which he repeatedly referred to his ex-wife as “the dingbat.”

The unfiltered 56-year-old was forced to apologize shortly after the derogatory remarks and may still face disciplinary action from Marquee Sports Network, according to TMZ.

“During today’s game I referred to my ex-wife in a way that I absolutely should not have,” he said in a statement following the broadcast of the Brewers-Cubs game. “I want everyone to know how very sorry I am about that. My remarks were offensive and inappropriate, and I deeply apologize.”

The incident occurred when Grace — who was hired by Marquee in February — joined announcers Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies and shared a rambling anecdote during the top of the sixth inning about a time in which his ex-wife accidentally parked in a spot reserved for former MLB commissioner Bud Selig.

“It’s early afternoon and my ex-wife — I’m going to go Archie Bunker on you guys a little bit — I called her ‘the dingbat,’” he said in reference to the “All In The Family” character, who used to refer to his spouse as such.

“I said, ‘Honey, why don’t you drop me off at county stadium. … She decides a few hours later she’s going to come to the game a little bit early. … I’m getting ready for the game, I’m starting to get my game face on and all that song and dance. The business clubhouse guy comes running to my locker and he’s got this look of panic on his face. He’s like, ‘Grace, I just got a call. Did you park your car in Bud Selig’s parking space?’

“I thought, ‘oh my god, the dingbat parked in Bud’s spot.’”

This isn’t the first time Grace has come under fire for making off-color comments about women. In 2003, he infamously described a “slumpbuster” to Jim Rome as “lay[ing] the wood” to “the fattest, gnarliest, grossest chick” and spoke of hanging photos of “naked, 250-pound babes” in the team’s locker room during the same interview.

Grace was a World Series champion with the Diamondbacks in 2001. Prior to his stint in Arizona, the first baseman played for the Cubs from 1988 to 2000 and won four Gold Glove awards and was named to three All-Star teams.

“Bud was none too pleased,” he added. “However, I’ve always gotten along with the former commissioner and I actually really like Bud.”