Twitter
Facebook
Retired major leaguer Curt Schilling says he’s “never understood this ‘issue’ with gay players”
Retired Major League Baseball pitcher Curt Schilling is wondering publicly what the big deal is about players being openly gay in pro sports.
‘I’ve never understood this ‘issue’ with gay players? Who cares?’ Schilling posted on his Twitter page this week. ‘I know I played with some, their sexual orientation never had much to do with how they hit with RISP (Runner In Scoring Position) or pitched in late and close situations.’
He added: ‘Why the hell would what they do in the bedroom ever matter?’
Schilling, 46, won three World Series titles with two different teams: Arizona Diamondbacks (2001) and Boston Red Sox (2004, 2007). He also reached the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993.
No major league baseball player has ever come out as gay during their playing career. If pro sports to ever become less homophobic, it will take more straight players like this speaking out.
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
EDEN says:
Okay. So, it’s cool that NOW, after he’s retired, he has no issue with it.., but I wonder just how out-spoken and supportive he was when his opinion might have made a difference. Once again, it’s NEVER going to change, guys, until someone who is active and is a respective leader, in the locker rooms NOW, takes a PUBLIC stand in defense of those who are not willing to come out, without that support when and where it matters.
Greg Hernandez says:
Good grief, give him credit for saying now rather than never. I
Joe says:
I’m proud of Curt for what he said. Most players would say much less or be obnoxious with their comments.
Ron says:
Actually, plenty of players have been pretty open about speaking in favor, or at least not understanding the hubbub about gay players in the MLB, including Brian Wilson, Brad Ausmus, Pat Burrell, Gabe Kapler, etc…but that doesn’t offset the sheer number of rednecks that play in baseball and would indeed say the exact opposite — so props to Shilling for being able to state his opinion at least…