Addressing Homophobia in the Baseball Community: Part 2

John Rocker. Kevin Pillar. Jarren Duran. Two of these Major League Baseball (MLB) players are still active, while the other has since retired from the sport. All three have one thing in common: they faced repercussions for using offensive, homophobic slurs.

Almost 25 years ago, former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker did an interview and made crude remarks about different groups of people, comments so horrific that they aren't worth repeating on here. You'll have to Google his name and you'll see why he's still largely despised of today.

In May 2017, Kevin Pillar, who played for the Toronto Blue Jays at the time, was suspended two games for uttering a homophobic slur towards opposing pitcher Jason Motte. Three months later, Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce (not pictured above) was also suspended for two games for the same offense as Pillar. Joyce's two game checks were donated to PFLAG, an advocacy group dedicated to educating and supporting LGBTQ+ individuals.

Fast forward to August 2024: Boston Red Sox Outfielder Jarren Duran was suspended two games for yelling a homophobic slur towards a fan during a game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park two days earlier. He's the same player who was named the MLB All-Star Game MVP last month. Just like in the case of Matt Joyce, Duran's pay for those two games were also donated to PFLAG. To me, Jarren's apology following that incident was insincere and tone deaf. For that, I don't accept his apology because it lacked empathy and didn't feel heartfelt. Plus, I felt the punishment wasn't harsh and severe enough. Translation: he got a slap on the wrist. Soon after he was handed down his suspension, he wore a shirt with a crude message. It was almost like he was taking back his so-called "apology" and gave a huge middle finger to everyone. Do I feel that most fans can be out of sorts at baseball games and heckle at players? Yes, but as a public figure, you have to learn how to control your emotions. Fans will do anything to get under your skin, but unfortunately, that's what happens at baseball games. I'm not saying that fans saying insulting remarks at other players is okay, but at the same time, professional athletes of any sport shouldn't hurl insults towards fans. Many people were saying that Jarren had the right to freedom of speech. Yes, you do have a right to say whatever you want. However, like I said in my stories about Harrison Butker months ago, there are consequences for the things you say that people might find unacceptable and offensive. Free speech is not a hall pass to make disparaging remarks towards anyone.

For almost a year, I've been part of numerous online baseball communities. While some the baseball communities are positive, there are others that I would describe as homophobic and sexist. This kind of behavior comes from mostly male baseball fans. You must be thinking that these things never happen in the aforementioned spaces. I've witnessed these narratives firsthand. For example, 29 out of the 30 MLB teams has held a Pride Night every June, which is the start of Pride Month, at their respective ballparks, except for my beloved Texas Rangers. In my previous story, which you can read down below, I've called out the Rangers organization, Rangers fans, and baseball fans in general, for perpetuating anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. In the comments section underneath in a YouTube video where the Boston Red Sox held a Pride Night at Fenway Park. There were comments from fans degrading and dehumanizing LGBTQ+ people. Whenever I condemn these offensive actions in these baseball spaces, I get attacked and laughed at, simply for seeing and stating the obvious. I guess having common sense offends many baseball fans.

I'll continue to call out anyone who displays this disgusting behavior online. Hate of any kind is never acceptable anywhere, especially in baseball communities. Admins of those pages have a responsibility to ensure that everyone feels welcome, included, accepted, and most importantly, safe. You must be thinking, "No they don't". In fact, they do, because if they're not holding people who spew hateful rhetoric accountable, they're just as guilty as the one who doing such actions. As a baseball fan who's part of the LGBTQ+ community and loves the sport, it's sad that fans think like this towards a group of people they may or may not know personally. You can't say that you're a fan of whatever team you support and be a bigot. Baseball is for everyone and if you refuse to rethink your biases towards people like me, then that's on you. I'll always condemn all forms of hate and discrimination. Common sense will tell you that certain words and perpetuating stereotypes can be damaging towards LGBTQ+ people. So think before you speak and also, have a bit of compassion. It doesn't cost you anything to be compassionate towards the LGBTQ+ community. I'm not saying that you have to abandon your beliefs, but I ask for you to treat them with dignity and respect. Be an ally to us or shut up. Simple as that.