The Toronto Blue Jays on Friday reposted a video on Instagram calling Target and Bud Light “evil” and “devil” in support of the LGBTQ community, prompting backlash and boos from fans.・The bus pitcher (35) was dismissed.
blue jays announced On Friday, the team named Bass to duty, effectively removing him from the team. It was just hours before he would throw the team’s ceremonial first pitch at kickoff. pride weekend series with the Minnesota Twins.
Last month, Bass reposted the video to Instagram, calling for a boycott of both Target and Bud Light, which has recently angered conservatives. Bud Light used transgender influencers for social media promotions, while Target promoted his own Pride collection. It also included children’s clothing and books. The video is from a Bible-themed Instagram page that Bass briefly posted to his own Instagram story in late May.
After the post drew backlash, Bass told reporters he apologized for sharing the post because it “hurts the Pride community.” Bass will work with the team to “make better decisions going forward,” he said.
“The ballpark belongs to everyone,” Bass said. “The ballpark includes all the fans and we want to welcome them all.”
The backlash against buses was the latest example of a Major League Baseball team running into trouble with the LBGTQ community. Last month, the Los Angeles Dodgers came under fire from some fans after they removed members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from their Pride Night pregame ceremony under pressure from Catholic critics. voice rose. The Dodgers later reversed that decision after several LGBTQ groups withdrew from the event.
Last year, the Tampa Bay Rays faced questions after the team allowed several players to opt out of wearing the team’s Pride Night uniform.
The outcry in Toronto appeared to have calmed down until Mr Bass told reporters on Thursday that he defended the message in a post he shared.
“I stand by my personal beliefs,” Bass said. told reporters. “And everyone is entitled to their own personal beliefs, right? And I have no intention of harming any group of people.”
When asked if he thought the post he shared was hateful, Bass replied, “No.”
“That’s why I posted it in the first place,” Bass told reporters on Thursday. “Looking back, I can see how people will look at this work. So I felt sorry.”
Toronto General Manager Ross Atkins said: told reporters on Friday He said the move to cut relief pitchers was driven primarily by his performance this season.
of 22 games Bass has pitched 20 innings this season with a lackluster 4.95 ERA. In 2022, he will have a 1.54 ERA in 73 games, all of which are career highs.
“There are a myriad of variables, and performance is usually the driving force,” says Atkins. “Performance was a big factor in this decision.
Since making his major-league debut in 2011, Bass has moved from team to team. In 2016, he left MLB to pitch professionally in Japan before returning to the United States.
Nominating Bass would give the Blue Jays seven days to trade him or grant an irrevocable full waiver.
