The Toronto Blue Jays released pitcher Anthony Bass hours before their Pride Night this season, following prolonged backlash over an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post.
And now, the homophobic hurler is whining about his self-induced plight.
In an interview with the Canadian Press, Bass spoke on the record for the first time since his release, saying it “wasn’t a baseball decision.”
In fact, the right-hander says he considered filing a grievance complaint against the Blue Jays, but the players’ union dissuaded him, since Toronto was still paying his guaranteed $3 million salary.
Yes, Bass still collected his full salary after sharing a post from evangelist Ryan Miller, who called Target’s Pride collection “evil” and “demonic.”
What a victim! Our gay hearts bleed for the MLB journeyman.
Despite this, Bass threatened he may still file a grievance if he can’t get a job this offseason.
“If this causes future issues, I think there is a strong case to be had,” he said.
While he cites his strong performance in May as evidence the Blue Jays cut him for non-baseball reasons, he posted a mediocre 4.95 ERA with Toronto overall. He owns a 3.91 career ERA, playing for seven different teams in 12 seasons.
During one of Bass’ last appearances with the Blue Jays May 31, he was booed out of the stadium.
Originally, the Blue Jays planned for Bass to catch the ceremonial first pitch before their Pride festivities in early June, as an apparent way to make amends. But he scuttled those plans with a defiant statement, in which he affirmed his right to share his personal anti-gay views.
“The video itself, obviously, I took it down,” Bass said, via The Athletic. “I just felt like it was too much of a distraction, right? But I stand by my personal beliefs and everyone’s entitled to their personal beliefs, right?”
The Blue Jays cut Bass shortly thereafter. Team executive Mark Shapiro told reporters this week he’s satisfied with how the organization handled the mess.
But Shapiro didn’t elaborate, indicating the team is bracing for a legal entanglement.
Following Bass’ latest comments, Jays reporter Eric Treuden posted that a source “close to the situation” told him several players were planning to boycott Pride Night after Bass was released.
If true, that would’ve been a complete disaster, and low point for MLB when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts. Whoever advised those players to stand down made the right call.
Another one of these dudes that’s not worth the distraction. He’s not good enough
— JA (@bookedupday) October 12, 2023
No one was boycotting over that loser…
— Meg Mc (@MeggMacc) October 12, 2023
It was a mixed Pride season for MLB, with multiple players exposed for expressing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. The Boston Red Sox also released a pitcher, Matt Dermody, for previous homophobic social media posts.
But the biggest controversy surrounded the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were pelted with right-wing outrage for honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at their Pride event. Outraged conservatives, ranging from Marco Rubio to Ron “Don’t Say Gay” DeSantis, chided the organization for highlighting the charitable group.
Despite the reactionary backlash, the Dodgers sold more than 49,000 tickets to their Pride Night, and led the league in attendance yet again.
As far as Bass is concerned, it’s important to note his “boycott Target” post wasn’t the first time he found himself in hot water this season. He also made headlines when he publicly shamed a flight attendant for asking his wife to pick up popcorn their young daughter threw on the floor.
If Bass wants another job, perhaps he should stop sh*tposting. By the way, he’s now purportedly advertising his services as a private pitching coach.
He has so much knowledge to dispense, beginning with how to totally wreck a once promising pro baseball career!
Jack
So a clearly mediocre player who sounds like a total DBag (harassing a flight attendant to be his maid?) wants to complain about getting his $3M payout and sent out to pasture because he’s a crappy pitcher?? Two things. This dude is DEFINITELY a closet case—for sure. Second—save that $3M because you might not have been fired for being homophobic. But you’ll never play in the MLB again. Because you’re a closeted homophobe.
Diplomat
Calling Ts and NBs demonic and evil is right on cue with their attempted distilled take down of the American family, language and women’s sports and private spaces overall by straight men in dresses. Trans have been using the LGB flag as toilet paper ever since their arrival.
I’d reinstate that pitcher in a second as this is not an LGB issue. At all.
A TNB implosion is coming on fast unless they do an abrupt turn around from A to Z.
Jaesly
What do trans athletes after to do with this story. I hate all these respectability gays and lesbians who want to boot trans folks from the LGBTQ+ community.
Diplomat
All the vitriol at the LGBT community today is trans NB based due to the above items. We were doing just fine until they came along with their batshit values noone shares and creamed us good. Their days are numbered. Too bad they fkd it up for Trans kids with their Trumpian bull in China shop approach, that’s truly a tragedy.
Diplomat
Jaesly,
All the vitriol at the LGBT community today is trans NB based due to the above items. We were doing just fine until they came along with their batshit values noone shares and creamed us good. Their days are numbered. Too bad they fkd it up for Trans kids with their Trumpian bull in China shop approach, that’s truly a tragedy.
Most of us never wanted them on our title in the first place. Now they’ve destroyed it. Yeah they can get lost like yesterday.
Fahd
Well, if he feels so strongly about his ¨personal beliefs¨ let him file the grievance. It will be informative to see how the matter is decided. Btw, actions have consequences. And the nerve of the guy after they´re paying out his contract. No case!
Baron Wiseman
I guess apologies don’t matter any longer.
Whether his contract is paid out or not, he is worth 60 million dollars so I think he’ll be okay.
Kangol2
You didn’t have the talent or temperament to hack it, Anthony Bass, so as the old phrase goes, Bye, Felicia!
Pietro D
“SEVEN TEAMS IN TWELVE YEARS” should be the title of your autobiography though that title would be totally abhorrent to you because it proves your mediocrity conclusivley.
I’m a Torontonian and can tell you all he was a lousy pitcher and the fans had no love for him as he rarely performed well but then truly hated him for his comments relating to homophobic comments and posts. Toronto is such a multi-cultural city, sexually acceptable city, whatever your orientation that we would simply not tolerate a no talent pitcher making 3 million a year who had no hesitation in making his hateful remarks. He claims he was fired due to non-baseball issues. That is partly true but he would have been dismissed soon enough as he was a horifically bad athlete/pitcher. I doubt any other team in MLB will pick him up and give him another chance. He’s cooked his own goose.
mildredspierce
Another Torontonian here. Not a sports fan but the booing in the video was music to my ears. Who gives a flying f*ck about his opinion!
Ken A.
This is ridiculous. Stop firing people over stupid posts and canceling them because they disagree with the LGBTQA etc community. Many in the community disagree with community. Life is tough, wear a helmut.
Diplomat
Candace Owen’s has very big balls, love it. However, I have no room for her religious blathering.
Baron Wiseman
@Ken A
All these haters LOVE diversity, inclusion and tolerance, but haven’t seemed to really grasp the true meaning of it.
Jon in Canada
“Stop firing people over stupid posts and canceling them because they disagree with the LGBTQA etc community.” — except it’s neither of those things. I always find it hilarious to see people make comments without understanding how the real world works. He freely posted his ‘disagreement’ and people and the team freely responded. That’s not cancelling, that’s called consequences for one’s own words/actions. As in he needs to take responsibility for what he does.
“Disagree” about what? The right of people to live without being attacked, vilified, brutalized and, in sadly too many cases, killed? It’s akin to saying they disagree with the Black/Latino/Asian community. Also, under the Canadian Constitution, LGBTQs are a protected class, like race, religion etc and yes, that factors into the discussion. I know that Americans are OK with Christians lying and spewing mendacious claims out a sense of moral puritanism, but that doesn’t fly up here.
The fact is he’s a Christian Dominionist and they don’t ‘disagree’ with us, they’re goal is the literal extermination of what they call moral deviants. You can this sh1t up you know. Seriously, sit down before you hurt yourself.
Baron Wiseman
@Jon in Canada
“I always find it hilarious to see people make comments without understanding how the real world works. He freely posted his ‘disagreement’ and people and the team freely responded. That’s not cancelling, that’s called consequences for one’s own words/actions. As in he needs to take responsibility for what he does.”
First, he did “take responsibility” and apologized. Or do apologies no longer matter? Second, just so you know, being fired from your job is cancelling.