Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass said on June 8 he doesn't believe an anti-LGBTQIA+ social-media post he shared last month was hateful, ESPN reported.
"I do not [believe it was hateful]," Bass said. "That's why I posted it originally. When I look back at it, I can see how people would view it that way and that's why I was apologetic."
The athlete apologized before a May 30 game against Milwaukee—one day after sharing a post on Instagram calling for anti-LGBTQIA+ boycotts of Target and Bud Light over support they showed for the LGBTQIA+ community. According to an MLB press release, Bass shared this post to his Instagram stories, deleted it briefly and then shared it once again before ultimately deleting it permanently.
Bass, a right-handed reliever, also said he is "working hard" to educate himself, including meeting with Pride Toronto Executive Director Sherwin Modeste.
Bass is scheduled to catch the ceremonial first pitch from Toronto LGBTQIA+ activist leZlie Lee Kam before the June 9 game against Minnesota as the Blue Jays begin their fourth annual Pride Weekend celebration. Why Bass is being included in Pride Weekend activities is a mystery to some, per Yahoo! Sports.
—Andrew Davis
