The Toronto Blue Jays snapped pitcher Anthony Bass, 35, on Friday, after he drew a backlash and boos from fans for reposting an Instagram video that called Target and Bud Light “vicious” and “demonic” for being supportive of the LGBTQ community.
blue jays announce Friday that they designated Bass for assignment, effectively cutting him off the team, just hours before he was set to take the ceremonial first pitch to start the game. Pride weekend for a series against the Minnesota Twins.
Last month, Bass reposted a video on Instagram calling for a boycott of both Target and Bud Light, which recently drew the ire of conservatives, Bud Light for showing a transgender influencer in a social media promotion, and Target for promoting its Pride collection, which included Children’s clothing and books. The video, which came from a Bible-themed Instagram page, was briefly posted by Bass to his Instagram Story in late May.
After the post caused a negative reaction, Bass told reporters that he apologized for making the post because it “was hurtful to the Pride community.” Bass said he will work with the team to “make better decisions going forward.”
“The playground is for everyone,” Bass said. “We include all the fans in the stadium, and we want to welcome everyone.”
The backlash towards Bass was the latest example of a Major League Baseball team getting into trouble with the LBGTQ community. Last month, some fans called out the Los Angeles Dodgers after the team, under pressure from Catholic pundits, dropped the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from the Pride Night concert. The Dodgers later reversed this decision after multiple LGBTQ groups pulled out of the event.
Last year, the Tampa Bay Rays faced questions after the team allowed several players to opt out of wearing Pride Night team uniforms.
The fallout in Toronto appeared to have settled until Thursday when Bass, speaking to reporters, defended the message in a post he shared.
“I stick to my personal beliefs,” Bass said to reporters. “And everyone is entitled to their own personal beliefs, right? Also, I don’t mean any harm towards any group of people.”
When asked if he thought the post he made was hateful, Bass said, “I don’t.”
“That’s why I originally posted it,” Bass told reporters Thursday. “When I look at it again, I can see how people would see it that way and that’s why I was apologizing.”
Toronto General Manager, Ross Atkins, to reporters on Friday That relief pitcher’s cut move was primarily driven by his performance this season.
in 22 matches This season, Bass pitched 20 innings, with a lackluster 4.95 run average. In 2022, he posted a 1.54 ERA in 73 games, both career bests.
“There are countless variables, and performance is usually the driver,” Atkins said. “Performance was a huge aspect of that decision. The distraction was a small part of it, and we had to keep that in mind.”
Since making his league debut in 2011, Bass has bounced from team to team. In 2016, he left MLB to play professionally in Japan, before returning to the United States.
With Bass designated for assignment, the Blue Jays now have seven days to trade him or place him on outright irrevocable waivers.
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