You probably know that on July 15, 2014, former major league baseball player Billy Bean was named as the first MLB Ambassador for Inclusion, a position meant to develop educational training initiatives against sexism, homophobia and prejudice. Out and proud, Bean will be also present at annual industry events, including the Winter Meetings and the MLB-MLBPA Rookie Career Development Program.
While all that sounds straightforward and doable to those of us in the popular press, translating his job into action in the clubhouses of major league baseball countrywide is an entirely different story. Witness what happened when Bean took his message to the New York Mets last week at spring training in Port St. Lucie. There, Bean put on a Mets uniform and spoke to players about acceptance in baseball.
“I disagree with the lifestyle,” devout Christian and Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy told the Daily News after Bean’s visit. “But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love a teammate who is gay. I was glad [Bean] was here today and to hear his story.”
No willing to leave it at that, Murphy expanded on those comments to NJ.com. “I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual. That doesn’t mean I can’t still invest in him and get to know him. I don’t think the fact that someone is a homosexual should completely shut the door on investing in them in a relational aspect.
“Getting to know him. That, I would say, you can still accept them but I do disagree with the lifestyle, 100%.”
Opps. The word “lifestyle” was sure to generate controversy, suggesting that being gay is a choice not a genetically given orientation.
“That’s why we’re having a conversation right now,” Murphy countered. “And I completely understand why someone who believes it is not a choice, that you’re born with it, would take issue with my beliefs, that it is a lifestyle.
“I feel like acceptance, embracing — that falls short. You understand what I’m saying? I love this person. The same way I love my wife, even though I don’t always agree with everything she does, I love her. I can love a teammate, even though I disagree with the choices he makes.”
Again the word “choice.” Hmm.
Bean didn’t seem fazed. “After reading his comments, I appreciate that Daniel spoke his truth. I really do,” Bean later commented. “I was visiting his team, and a reporter asked his opinion about me. He was brave to share his feelings, and it made me want to work harder and be a better example that someday might allow him to view things from my perspective, if only for just a moment.
I respect him, and I want everyone to know that he was respectful of me. We have baseball in common, and for now, that might be the only thing. But it’s a start.”
Every day, Bean travels throughout the country, meeting with different teams as they move through spring training and is judged by players who are anything but forthcoming about their sexual orientation.
“It’s not easy,” Bean admits, “to be the only out person in a room of strangers for 35 straight days. It gives me great determination. But I am doing it for the people who don’t have the platform that I do, and I keep reminding myself of that.
“It’s exhausting, in a good way,” he told the Agenda. “I was up at 5:30 this morning, and made a presentation to 300 players. I was in Clearweather with the Philadelphia Phillies, and it’s my sixth stop in seven days. Before I get to bed, I’ve got about 35 emails I have to thoughtfully respond to. And try to remember which hotel I’m going to be going to tomorrow.
“There’s a logistical element to the job which is amazingly complex; and then there is the emotional side of it where I do for every team what I was unable to do for myself while I was a player,” he said.
Bean is not under any illusion that they are all friends, or even supporters. “This is the last frontier for me. To be among peers and to be looked at in a certain way. It’s nerve-racking. This is a new group of people every single time. It’s like the first day of school every day.”
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