The Miami Marlins used the death of “The Crocodile Hunter,” Steve Irwin, in a Twitter feud with their in-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rays swept a two-game series against the Marlins this weekend. However, the action did not stop on the field. The rivalry shifted to Twitter after the Marlins shared this video of Miami right-fielder Brian Anderson throwing out a runner at home plate. To which, the Rays responded, “show the final out.”
The Marlins then made light of the Tampa’s announced intention to play some home games in Canada.
So this is a pretty fun and entertaining sports Twitter spat so far, right? Well, things took a turn after the Marlins invoked the death of conservationist Steve Irwin, who was killed by a stingray.
Yikes.
The moment did not go unnoticed by Twitter users who immediately cried foul on the Marlins’ use of Irwin’s death in the spat.
The Marlins Twitter account eventually apologized for making light of Irwin’s death.
Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn