Campanis Insists That His Remarks on “Nightline” Were Misinterpreted

Al Campanis, deposed vice president of the Dodgers, declined again to be interviewed by the Los Angeles Times Tuesday, but in an interview published Tuesday in USA Today reiterated that his remarks on black athletes last week on national television were misinterpreted.

“I am not prejudiced and I have never been prejudiced,” Campanis, 70, told USA Today. “. . . I am not the way I have been pictured. Thank God there are people who know the other side of me.”

Asked directly about the interview on ABC’s “Nightline,” during which he said that blacks may lack “some of the necessities” to become managers and general managers of major league baseball teams, Campanis told the newspaper: “The fact is, I was not feeling well. I normally take medication at about 6 o’clock, but I did not take it (last) Monday night because I was at the ballpark. . . . Whatever I said, my intentions were good.”

Campanis told The Times Tuesday that he is considering writing a book about his experience. He said there has been interest from publishers.

Campanis also said he follows Dodger games on radio. “Down the road, I might come (to Dodger Stadium) and watch, but not now. I have a lot things to take care of,” he said Tuesday.