The Major League Baseball video game “MLB The Show” is introducing women players in its 2024 edition of the game even though professional women’s baseball doesn’t exist.
For the first time, gamers will be able to create and play with a woman baseball player in the “Road to the Show: Women Pave Their Way” game mode. The “Road to the Show” game mode, which has been a staple of &#8220;The Show&#8221; throughout the years, allows users to customize a player and play through an MLB career.
Mollie Braley, a narrative designer, for “MLB The Show” told <a href="https://blog.playstation.com/2024/03/05/mlb-the-show-24-unveils-road-to-the-show-women-pave-their-way/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PlayStation.Blog</a> that the game’s new feature allowing people to play as women “was inspired by the stories of women in baseball.”
“Throughout history, women have been making waves in the sport,” Braley added. “These include legends such as Toni Stone, who was one of the first women ever to play professional baseball, and has a new Storyline in MLB The Show 24. Our team wanted to create something where dreams become a reality, and we felt like adding this to Road to the Show was the perfect opportunity that gave our players the option to experience this.”
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MLB The Show announced a new game mode in Road to the Show called Women Pave Their Way.
For the first time ever, players can create and play as a female player 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBTheShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBTheShow</a> <a href="https://t.co/aMfX9gfzlC">pic.twitter.com/aMfX9gfzlC</a>
&mdash; The Sporting News (@sportingnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/1765019397591023679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Stone played baseball for the Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro League team, in 1953, becoming the first woman to play for a professional baseball team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/10/sports/toni-stone-75-first-woman-to-play-big-league-baseball.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to The New York Times. The female baseball player joined three other teams in the Negro League before retiring from the sport just a year later.
While women play for the USA Baseball national team, which participates in world tournaments over the summer, there are no professional or collegiate women&#8217;s baseball teams. Women also play fastpitch softball at the college and professional levels, but even professional softball differs greatly from Major League Baseball in numerous ways from the size of the ball to the distance between bases.
“MLB The Show’s” move to add women into the game comes after other sports video games, such as NBA 2K and FIFA, have allowed gamers to play with women’s teams in recent years.
“This new gameplay experience is a unique pivot in the baseball world that will encourage, inspire, and motivate individuals to chase their dreams,” said Kelsie Whitmore, who plays on the Women’s USA Baseball National Team.
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“To me, this project is a great opportunity for the world to be informed of women who play baseball and that taking their skills to the next level is possible. My hopes for this project is to educate others that women/girls do play baseball and that they are capable of competing in this game at every level,” Whitmore added.
“MLB The Show 24” will be released to the public on March 19.

Baseball

‘MLB The Show’ Video Game Introduces Women Players

'MLB The Show' Video Game Introduces Women Players

Video Games

Women

MLB pitcher Erik Swanson will be away from the team &#8220;for a while&#8221; following his four-year-old son&#8217;s hospitalization after he was struck by a car in Florida near the team&#8217;s spring training complex.
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced that Swanson&#8217;s son Toby was hit by a car on Sunday in Clearwater, Florida, the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/02/27/sports/blue-jays-pitcher-erik-swansons-son-struck-by-car-airlifted-to-hospital/">New York Post</a> reported.
&#8220;Thanks to the incredible work from the Clearwater first responders, Toby is on the road to recovery and is surrounded by his family,&#8221; Schneider said, before he said that the Blue Jays pitcher will be away from the team &#8220;for a while.&#8221;
&#8220;The guys have been phenomenal so far,&#8221; Schneider added, of his team&#8217;s support for Swanson and family. &#8220;And you can&#8217;t forget about players wives and significant others who have reached out. It&#8217;s been a rough couple of days but it&#8217;s nice to see the support.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Blue Jays Pitcher Erik Swanson&#8217;s Son, 4, Struck by Car and Airlifted to Hospital: &#8216;On the Road to Recovery&#8217; <a href="https://t.co/9Td9tCZZED">https://t.co/9Td9tCZZED</a>
— People (@people) <a href="https://twitter.com/people/status/1762585413699473908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
&#8220;Baseball is secondary when you are talking about family and life,&#8221; Schneider continued. &#8220;Family comes first. Our love, support and prayers are with Erik, Madison, Toby and the entire Swanson family.&#8221;
According to a police report, <a href="https://torontosun.com/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays/son-of-swanson-airlifted-to-hospital-after-being-struck-by-car">by the Toronto Sun,</a> Toby was hit by a Ford Expedition near a hotel in Clearwater. Swanson’s son had to be airlifted to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg where he remains in critical condition, the outlet noted.
The MLB pitcher and his wife Madison, have yet to speak publicly about what happened. The two also share a one-year-old daughter Parker Kari, the outlet noted.
Earlier this month, Swanson shared a couple of cute pictures of himself and his young son walking through a parking lot where the spring training center is located.
&#8220;Put Toby through a full day of work at the field today!&#8221; the Blue Jays pitcher captioned the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3T2x1aOyk6/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1">post</a>.
The 2024 season will be Swanson&#8217;s second with the team after the Blue Jays acquired him from the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Teoscar Hernández in November 2022, the Post noted.
In his first season with the team, Swanson appeared in 69 games and finished with a  4-2 record, 2.97 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 66.2 innings, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39609835/son-blue-jays-erik-swanson-recovering-hit-car">ESPN</a> noted.
The Blue Jays&#8217; 2024 season kicks off March 28 against American League East rival the Tampa Bay Rays, the outlet noted.

Erik Swanson

MLB Pitcher’s 4-Year-Old Son Hospitalized After He’s Hit By Car

MLB Pitcher's 4-Year-Old Son Hospitalized After He's Hit By Car

Florida

hospital

Sports

Former <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/boston">Boston</a> Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield — famously known for his iconic knuckleball-style pitching that helped the franchise win two World Series titles — died at age 57 on Sunday, the team announced.
Although an official cause of death was not immediately revealed, Wakefield reportedly had been undergoing treatment following a brain cancer diagnosis.
&#8220;Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield,&#8221; the team&#8217;s official X account posted. &#8220;Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.&#8221;
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Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield.
Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.
Our deepest love and thoughts are with… <a href="https://t.co/ah5kV2Yt8j">pic.twitter.com/ah5kV2Yt8j</a>
&mdash; Red Sox (@RedSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1708550648914903185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Last week, Wakefield&#8217;s former teammate, Curt Schilling, faced backlash after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-wakefield-illness-curt-schilling-8f068c984b7c3e5924b3d27f0cd05832" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealing</a> without permission that Wakefield had been diagnosed with brain cancer and asked for fans to respect his privacy.
The team issued a statement on Thursday with the consent of Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, saying, &#8220;Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission.&#8221;
&#8220;Their health is a deeply personal matter they intended to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to tackle this disease,&#8221; Red Sox officials reportedly said. &#8220;Tim and Stacy are appreciative of the support and love that has always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time.&#8221;
Wakefield, who was born in Melbourne, Florida, on August 2, 1966, made his Major League Baseball debut in 1992 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team had drafted him four years earlier as a first baseman to the minor leagues, where his career slowly launched until a Pirates coach saw him throwing a knuckleball while playing catch with a teammate.
&#8220;I was disappointed [the Pirates] were giving up on me that quick [as a hitter],&#8221; Wakefield said in his memoir, &#8220;Knuckler: My Life with Baseball&#8217;s Most Confounding Pitch,&#8221; <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38539709/former-red-sox-knuckleballer-tim-wakefield-dies-brain-caner-57" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to ESPN. &#8220;But then, they basically told me, &#8216;You&#8217;re going to pitch or you&#8217;re going to go home.&#8217; So I said, &#8216;OK, I&#8217;ll pitch.'&#8221;
The move immediately garnered Wakefield national attention after winning 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA and two more games during the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. But after underperforming the following season, the team sent him back to the minors until ultimately releasing him.
The Boston Red Sox picked him up in 1995, where he found his permanent home for the rest of his professional career and pitched for 17 seasons.
He contributed to the team winning the World Series championship in 2004 against the St. Louis Cardinals to claim their first championship in 86 years. Wakefield scored another World Series title with the Red Sox after defeating the New York Yankees in 2007.
Wakefield retired in 2012 with 200 major league game victories under his belt — 186 with the Red Sox — <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-wakefield-death-red-sox-ae1f9bd465fbefede0d030f915b1f988?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=AP_Sports&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> placing him behind legendary baseball players Cy Young and Roger Clemens in the team&#8217;s history.
According to ESPN, he finished his career with a 4.41 ERA with 2,156 strikeouts &#8212; and 1,205 walks &#8212; in 3,226 2/3 innings pitched over 627 appearances (463 starts).
&#8220;There were some years there where I didn&#8217;t know if I was going to come back or not,&#8221; Wakefield said at his 2012 retirement news conference. &#8220;But I&#8217;m very grateful that I&#8217;ve been able to put this uniform on for such a long time, and win two World Series for this great city.&#8221;
Shortly after retiring, Wakefield began working as an analyst for the Red Sox broadcast network NESN. He also remained involved in Boston charities, including the Red Sox Foundation.
In 2016, the franchise inducted him into the Red Sox Hall of Fame to join former players, leadership, and staff members who have contributed to the team&#8217;s 120-year-plus history.
Red Sox owner John Henry said in a statement on Sunday following Wakefield&#8217;s passing that &#8220;Tim&#8217;s kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball.&#8221;
&#8220;He not only captivated us on the field but was the rare athlete whose legacy extended beyond the record books to the countless lives he touched with his warmth and genuine spirit,&#8221; Henry said. &#8220;He had a remarkable ability to uplift, inspire, and connect with others in a way that showed us the true definition of greatness. He embodied the very best of what it means to be a member of the Boston Red Sox and his loss is felt deeply by all of us.&#8221;
Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said, &#8220;It&#8217;s one thing to be an outstanding athlete; it&#8217;s another to be an extraordinary human being. Tim was both.&#8221;
&#8220;He was a role model on and off the field, giving endlessly to the Red Sox Foundation and being a force for good for everyone he encountered,&#8221; Werner said. &#8220;I felt fortunate to call him a close friend and along with all of us in Red Sox Nation, I know the world was made better because he was in it.&#8221;
Wakefield is survived by his wife, Stacy, and their children, Trevor and Brianna.

(082611, Boston, MA) Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield (49) as the Red Sox take on the Athletics at Fenway Park. Friday, August 26, 2011. (Staff photo by Stuart Cahill)

Boston Red Sox Legendary Knuckleballer Pitcher Tim Wakefield Dead At 57

Boston Red Sox

Cancer

Death

Major League Baseball

Obituaries

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles-dodgers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> pitcher Julio Urias was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/domestic-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">domestic violence</a>, according to multiple reports.
The Los Angeles Police Department <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38328539/dodgers-p-julio-urias-arrested-domestic-violence-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told ESPN</a> that Urias, 27, was detained on felony charges.
Citing jail records, the news outlet said Urias was booked around 1 a.m., a couple of hours after his arrest. He was then released on $50,000 bond and has a court date of September 27.
The Dodgers released a statement acknowledging that the team was aware of an &#8220;incident&#8221; involving Urias.
&#8220;While we attempt to learn all the facts, he will not be traveling with the team. The organization has no further comment at this time,&#8221; the statement added, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/dodgers-pitcher-julio-urias-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the local CBS affiliate</a>.
Major League Baseball (MLB) will conduct an investigation and Urias has been placed on administrative leave while it pans out, The Orange County Register&#8217;s Bill Plunkett <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1698773765591630267" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in posts to X, noting that the pitcher may not play again for the Dodgers as he is is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Urias was previously arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery in 2019 after he was allegedly seen pushing a woman to the ground in a parking lot, as <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-09-04/dodgers-julio-urias-charged-felony-domestic-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted by the Los Angeles Times</a>. The player did <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-julio-urias-no-domestic-battery-charges-city-attorney-20190603-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not face any charges</a> in connection to that case, but he was <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-urias-suspended" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended</a> for 20 games under the MLB&#8217;s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
&#8220;Although the authorities determined no charges of any kind were warranted, I accept full responsibility for what I believe was my inappropriate conduct during the incident,&#8221; Urias said in a statement at the time. &#8220;Even in this instance where there was no injury or history of violence, I understand and agree that Major League players should be held to a higher standard. I hold myself to a higher standard as well. I have taken proactive steps to help grow as a person on and off the field, and in my relationships, including attending counseling sessions.&#8221;
Urias, who was born in Mexico, has played in the MLB for the Dodgers since the 2016 season. He notably threw the strikeout that <a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/julio-urias-628711" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured victory</a> for his team in the 2020 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays and he <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-urias-third-place-nl-cy-young-award-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finished third</a> in the race for the National League&#8217;s Cy Young award last year.
This season, while contending with <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37695430/dodgers-place-lhp-julio-urias-il-hamstring-strain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hamstring</a> and <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-urias-tosses-5-scoreless-innings-after-fingernail-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finger</a> injuries, the left-hander has <a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/julio-urias-628711" target="_blank" rel="noopener">notched</a> 11 wins and eight losses along with a 4.60 Earned Run Average.
The Dodgers sit atop the National League&#8217;s West division with a 84-52 record and 14.5-game lead over the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks with about four weeks left to play in the regular season.

Julio Urias

Dodgers Pitcher Arrested On Suspicion Of Domestic Violence

Dodgers Pitcher Arrested On Suspicion of Domestic Violence

Crime

Domestic Violence

Los Angeles Dodgers

U.S.

Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro used a baseball analogy to refute the dissents written by Justices <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ketanji-brown-jackson">Ketanji Brown Jackson</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/sonia-sotomayor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sonia Sotomayor</a> in Thursday&#8217;s landmark Supreme Court case that rolled back affirmative action policies at universities.
In a Friday Twitter post, Shapiro applied the justices&#8217; logic in favor of affirmative action to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/baseball" target="_blank" rel="noopener">baseball</a> “to see how idiotic and counterproductive it is&#8221; and illuminate that lowering standards to artificially boost black participation in the long-run hurts, rather than helps, racial tensions and equality.
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The logic that Jackson and Sotomayor want to endorse essentially states that in order to rectify past discrimination, current discrimination must be utilized. Let&#8217;s apply that example to baseball to see how idiotic and counterproductive this is.
Imagine, for a moment, that…
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) <a href="https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1674768809440182272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
“Imagine, for a moment, that instead of MLB breaking the color line by recruiting the very best players from the Negro Leagues beginning in the mid-1940s, they had instead changed the rules of the game: black pitchers would now only need to throw two strikes to strike out white batters, and black batters would get four strikes before striking out.” Shapiro wrote. “This would be designed in order to artificially boost the statistics of black players, making them more competitive in MLB.”
But, Shapiro noted, this would have decreased the quality of baseball and exacerbated racial tensions at the same time — the opposite of what Sotomayor and Jackson claim is their goal.
“Would this improve the quality of baseball or decrease it? Would it make for better and more competitive black players in the future, such that the rules could later be made the same for everyone while achieving &#8216;racial balance,&#8217; or decrease such chances? Would it exacerbate racial tensions or close them?”
Echoing Chief Justice <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/john-roberts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Roberts</a>’ majority opinion, Shapiro concluded that the way to remedy past discrimination is not discrimination today. He argues that doing so in the MLB was unnecessary because black players did not need standards lowered for them to compete with white players. College admissions, similarly, should focus on merit, not race.
“If you argue that this was unnecessary in baseball because top black players could already compete despite the discrimination against them — YES. That&#8217;s the point I&#8217;m making. It&#8217;s true in baseball and it&#8217;s true in college admissions. The only way to remedy past discrimination is NOT present discrimination. It never was,” he continued.
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Shapiro said that his tweet should not be misconstrued in a way to mean he is against challenging policies that cause specific harm.
“This is distinct from the argument that those who have specific damages from specific policies should be able to receive redress from those who damaged them specifically. That&#8217;s basic tort law. What we&#8217;re talking about is a regime of racial &#8216;correctives&#8217; that don&#8217;t correct, they merely make things far worse.”

Daily Wire Presents Backstage Live

Ben Shapiro Throws Beanball At Affirmative Action, Liberal Justices

Affirmative Action

Ben Shapiro

Courts

Ketanji Brown Jackson

Politics

Sonia Sotomayor

Major League Baseball (MLB) is focusing on diversity efforts to increase the recruitment of black players.
MLB’s efforts are already yielding results. A growing number of players primed to go pro are black. MLB <a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-baseball-players-major-league-3b7b3a3f2ef9a70631d1e6e571d7ecbd">told</a> AP News that approximately 15 percent of the players featured in a recent showcase preceding July’s draft were black.
In last year’s draft, four of the first five players selected were black: a first in MLB’s history. All four hailed from the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-dream-series-aims-to-increase-black-participation-in-baseball">DREAM Series</a>, an MLB camp for young black players. MLB <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/diversity-in-mlb-expanding-in-2023">reported</a> in April that their diversity efforts had yielded black players making up 13 percent of the top 100 selections.
MLB projected that 11 black players would be among the top 100 players for this year’s draft, with at least 49 percent of those anticipated players qualifying as diversity drafts.
The increased diversity yield may be credited to MLB’s numerous initiatives and hundreds of millions in funding dedicated specifically to training up black players.
Zion Rose, one of the combine players poised to participate in the upcoming draft, credited MLB’s diversity initiatives for his exposure to scouts, as well as significant figures like former players and coaches. Former MLB player Chris Young concurred, crediting the MLB’s diversity initiatives for lessening the financial burden for up-and-coming black players.
In 2021, MLB committed to give $100 million and raise $50 million over the course of a decade to increase the number of black baseball players. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the goal was to see more non-white players on the field.
“We want young people, period, playing the game: particularly young people of color,” said Manfred.
The millions in funding were issued in a partnership with <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/the-players-alliance-panel-discussion-mlb-tonight">The Players Alliance</a>: a nonprofit of current and former MLB players launched amid the summer of Black Lives Matter (BLM) rioting in response to George Floyd’s death. The Players Alliance shares a similar logo to BLM, with one exception: while BLM has three yellow lines on a black background, the alliance has two yellow lines and one white line on a black background.
With their millions in funding, the alliance has launched a mentorship program, donated baseball equipment, and created exclusive scholarship, internship, and employment opportunities for black individuals. 
The $150 million was in addition to an initial $10 million pledge issued in 2020. 
The board chair of The Players Alliance, Curtis Granderson, said the MLB support made their equity work possible.
“As the stark racial minority in all aspects of our game, The Players Alliance has given a voice and platform to our black players, unified in our stance against systemic racism,” said Granderson. “We stand together for what is right and to change our game for the better. The power of our player membership, including our non-black teammates, coupled with the support of MLB and the Players Association, gives us the unique ability to create increased opportunities for the black communities we care so much about.”
The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport <a href="https://www.tidesport.org/mlb">estimated</a> in their annual Racial and Gender Report Card released last week that black players made up about six percent of all players on opening day rosters. That’s one percent less than last year, and one-third of the total from 1991. However, the institute reported that the number of non-white MLB players increased to 40 percent this year. Latinos and Hispanics make up the largest bulk of the diverse crowd, accounting for 30 percent of the players.
In <a href="https://apnews.com/article/baseball-diversity-study-black-players-5d0d1766536f1385ee673c68be55d89a">response</a> to the latest demographics of black participation in baseball, MLB Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion Billy Bean promised that the organization was prioritizing the recruitment of black players.
“We have extensive programs through all stages of player development to increase Black participation in baseball,” said Bean. “We are encouraged by the progress being made at various levels of the pipeline. Diversity remains a top priority for our entire industry and we are committed to this as a long-term effort.”
In addition to the DREAM Series, the MLB also has the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/breakthrough-series">Breakthrough Series</a> and the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/hank-aaron-invitational">Hank Aaron Invitational</a>, diversity initiatives with predominant participation from young black players. The latter program has yielded 94 percent of graduating alumni securing collegiate and professional baseball opportunities.

MLB: JUN 02 Orioles at Giants

MLB Focuses Recruitment on Diversity to Bring in More Black Players

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

A bus driver was arrested for allegedly transporting the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pittsburgh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pittsburgh</a> Pirates while under the influence.
Officers escorting the bus on Thursday night as it was departing <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chicago" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago</a>, where the team had just ended a series, en route to Milwaukee reportedly noticed the vehicle was acting strangely.
&#8220;During the escort, the bus driver, 61-year-old Ronald E. Funderburke from Shelby, NC, was not following the escort and was traveling away from the escorting officers,&#8221; a spokesperson with the Illinois State Police <a href="https://cwbchicago.com/2023/06/police-escort-arrests-pittsburgh-pirates-bus-driver-dui-chicago.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told CWB Chicago</a>.
&#8220;Troopers observed more erratic driving and stopped the bus on the right shoulder of Interstate 94 northbound at Dempster Street,&#8221; the spokesperson added.
&#8220;After observing multiple signs of impairment, troopers arrested Funderburke for driving under the influence of alcohol and transported him to Chicago Police Department 16th District,&#8221; the spokesperson concluded.
Brian Warecki, senior vice president of communications for the Pirates, said &#8220;we are deeply concerned&#8221; about what transpired that night.
&#8220;The important thing is that all of our personnel arrived in Milwaukee safely,” Warecki said. “Buses are contracted out to a local provider, which was consistent with this trip, and we are now in communication with the appropriate parties regarding this matter.”
The Pirates made it to their destination in Milwaukee, where the team proceeded to get swept by the Brewers in a three-game series.
In other DUI-related sports news, West Virginia college basketball coach <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/legendary-basketball-coach-bob-huggins-arrested-on-dui-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Huggins was arrested</a> Friday night and charged with driving under the influence after being pulled over in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Pirates v Chicago Cubs

Driver Arrested For DUI While Transporting Pittsburgh Pirates

Driver Arrested For DUI While Transporting Pirates

Chicago

A large group of demonstrators protested the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/vin-scully-hall-of-fame-dodgers-announcer-of-67-years-dead-at-94" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> honoring a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/drag-troupe-sisters-perpetual-indulgence-mark-40-years-dragtivism-n996701" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drag troupe</a> of self-described &#8220;queer and trans nuns&#8221; on Friday.
Crowds gathered outside Dodger Stadium, where the team would later recognize the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at its annual Pride Night celebration. The group has outraged Catholics due to certain antics, such as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dodgers-boot-anti-catholic-sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence-from-lgbt-event-after-controversy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pole dancing on a cross</a>, that they say are a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/catholicvote-leader-slams-dodgers-for-re-inviting-queer-and-trans-nuns-troupe-to-pride-night" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mockery of their faith</a>.
The rally on Friday was organized by a group called Catholics for Catholics, which disseminated flyers that called on people to join “in prayerful response to Dodgers’ godless decision to honor blasphemous, Christ-mocking ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,’” according to <a href="https://ktla.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/thousands-protest-dodgers-pride-night-event-honoring-lgbtq-nun-group/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">local news station KTLA</a>.
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A massive group of Catholics and Christians have arrived outside of Dodger Stadium to pray in protest of the Dodgers honoring the &quot;Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/HYprx1N16l">pic.twitter.com/HYprx1N16l</a>
&mdash; Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) <a href="https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1669834539714347008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Catholics for Catholics touted &#8220;over 5K Strong!! Massive outpouring!&#8221; at the end of the prayer rally.
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HUGE SUCCESS! Prayer Rally Officially Concludes. Over 5K strong!! Massive outpouring! <a href="https://twitter.com/JackPosobiec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JackPosobiec</a> <a href="https://t.co/y202RAGE2g">pic.twitter.com/y202RAGE2g</a>
&mdash; Catholics for Catholics (@CforCatholics) <a href="https://twitter.com/CforCatholics/status/1669890291917295616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The Dodgers carried on with recognizing the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/dodgers-honor-anti-catholic-drag-nuns-more-hour-before-first-pitch-inside-nearly-empty-stadium">pre-game</a> ceremony despite the controversy. Two members of the group, &#8220;Sister Unity&#8221; and &#8220;Sister Dominia,&#8221; appeared on the field and received the award while fans in a sparsely crowded stadium watched and cheered.
There were some boos as well, as heard in a video posted to social media posted by <a href="https://www.tpusa.com/bio/savanah-hernandez" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Turning Point USA&#8217;s Savanah Hernandez</a>.
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DODGER STADIUM-The “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” are recognized for Pride night to a mostly empty audience. 
Two Dodgers fan nearby begin loudly booing after they’re announced: <a href="https://t.co/OO6NT5RIc8">pic.twitter.com/OO6NT5RIc8</a>
&mdash; Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) <a href="https://twitter.com/sav_says_/status/1669877241642385408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;The Dodgers community hero award goes to an organization reaching the LGBTQ+ community, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, LA chapter,&#8221; said stadium announcer Todd Leitz, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/dodgers-honor-anti-catholic-drag-nuns-more-hour-before-first-pitch-inside-nearly-empty-stadium" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per Fox News</a>. &#8220;Please join us in recognizing the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for their outstanding service to the LGBTQ+ community.&#8221;
Though members of the group insist they are <a href="https://twitter.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1669889453937106945" target="_blank" rel="noopener">engaging in satire</a> while <a href="https://www.thesisters.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promoting &#8220;human rights&#8221; and &#8220;diversity</a>,&#8221; critics remain strongly opposed to the bawdy caricature of the Catholic religion and cheered on the large turnout for the protest.
&#8220;If they even cover it many in our now openly deceitful media will lie &amp; report that Christian protestors showed up outside Dodger Stadium tonight to protest &#8216;Pride&#8217; or the &#8216;Trans&#8217; movement,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio/status/1669890170949193730" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a> Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). &#8220;What they won’t report is that the FACT that the protest was against the @Dodgers honoring an anti-Christian hate group.&#8221;
The stadium appears to have filled up for the ball game itself on Friday night. <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401472065" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN reported</a> the attendance reached 49,074 fans, or 88% percent of the stadium&#8217;s capacity of about 56,000 people. The visiting San Francisco Giants defeated the Dodgers 7-5 in the 11th inning.
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CLARIFICATION: To those questioning my observation regarding the empty stadium for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, it was a comparison of how there were thousands of Catholics protesting outside (4.5 hours before the game was set to begin). The Dodgers have ONE Pride night a… <a href="https://t.co/pwvgQC89Qk">pic.twitter.com/pwvgQC89Qk</a>
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) <a href="https://twitter.com/sav_says_/status/1669899750089568256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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While the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were honored before the game started, Hernandez said that the team &#8220;recognized a new LGBTQ member at the end of every inning. They specifically chose to recognize the sisters before the majority of fans would be present.&#8221;
The Dodgers had disinvited the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence last month, but within days <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dodgers-re-invite-queer-and-trans-nuns-troupe-with-an-apology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reversed that decision</a> and issued an apology to the group while facing backlash from LGBTQ organizations. In the days that followed, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw announced this team would be hosting a &#8220;Christian Faith and Family Day&#8221; at the end of July.
&#8220;Excited to announce the relaunch of Christian Faith and Family Day at Dodger Stadium on July 30th.&#8221; Kershaw said in a <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaytonKersh22/status/1662151424153616389" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweet</a>. &#8220;More details to come— but we are grateful for the opportunity to talk about Jesus and determined to make it bigger and better than it was before COVID. Hope to see you on July 30th!&#8221;

Dodgers Pride Night protest

Large Group Protests Dodgers’ Pride Night; Sparse Crowd Watches Drag ‘Nuns’ Get Honored

Large Group Protest Dodgers Pride Night; Sparse Crowd Watches Drag 'Nuns' Get Honored

Catholic

Los Angeles

Religion

Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams is speaking out and teaming up with Catholic app <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/god-is-doing-something-pretty-incredible-catholic-app-passes-up-google-tiktok-on-ash-wednesday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hallow</a> after posting a viral tweet calling out the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles-dodgers">LA Dodgers&#8217;</a> decision to re-invite and honor an LGBT drag group that mocks Christians, specifically, Catholics.
Williams – a devout Catholic, husband, and father to four children – was one of the only MLB players in the league to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/catholic-mlb-pitcher-slams-dodgers-for-honoring-drag-nuns">admonish</a> the Dodgers for honoring the so-called &#8220;Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,&#8221; a group of men who mockingly dress like drag queen versions of Catholic nuns, habits and all.
“It had to be said,” Williams <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254568/exclusive-washington-nationals-pitcher-trevor-williams-speaks-out-on-dodgers-controversy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> EWTN in his first interview since the controversy. “We cannot stand idly by while Our Lord gets mocked.”
The pitcher is teaming up with popular Christian app Hallow for an exclusive and totally free 12-Day <a href="https://hallow.com/challenges-sacred-heart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sacred Heart Prayer Challenge</a>. The challenge starts Friday, June 16, the day Catholics celebrate the solemnity of the Sacred Heart – and the same day the Dodgers will be honoring the &#8220;Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence&#8221; with a “Community Hero Award.&#8221;
&#8220;These prayers come together to unite everyone under the love of Christ and allow us to conform our hearts to Christ’s during the division in our culture,&#8221; Hallow told The Daily Wire.
&#8220;[When] St. Peter greets me at the gates, he’s not going to ask what your win-loss record was in 2023. He’s going to ask, ‘How did you build the kingdom of heaven?’” Williams said in his interview with EWTN, underscoring that his faith comes first in his life.
“To invite and honor a group that makes a blatant and deeply offensive mockery of my religion, and the religion of over 4 million people in Los Angeles county alone, undermines the values of respect and inclusivity that should be upheld by any organization,” Williams said of the Dodgers in his viral post back on May 30.
“Creating an environment in which one group feels celebrated and honored at the expense of another is counterproductive and wrong,” he said.
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<a href="https://t.co/P8MMcvfjQq">pic.twitter.com/P8MMcvfjQq</a>
&mdash; Trevor Williams (@MeLlamoTrevor) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeLlamoTrevor/status/1663603543528419328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Williams further told EWTN that the &#8220;Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence&#8221; mock Catholics and all Christians. “Anyone with two eyes and a brain can see that they’re mocking the religious habits of nuns, they’re mocking what we hold most deeply and our core convictions,&#8221; he said.
“When you go out of your way to steal a consecrated eucharistic host to defile it, that is not out of love; when you’re desecrating a crucifix or dancing on what appears to be Jesus on a cross, that isn’t out of love,” Williams continued.
“We look at the cross and the crucifixion, and we see Jesus dying for us and his blood soaking us and washing us of our sin,” the pitcher added. “For someone to do that because they say it&#8217;s ‘art’ and out of love and tolerance, it doesn’t make sense.”
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/catholic-mlb-pitcher-slams-dodgers-for-honoring-drag-nuns" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Catholic MLB Pitcher Slams Dodgers For Honoring Drag ‘Nuns’</a>

Washington Nationals v Miami Marlins

‘Can’t Stand Idly By While Our Lord Gets Mocked’: Catholic MLB Pitcher Speaks Out After Calling Out Dodgers Honoring Drag ‘Nuns’

Catholic MLB Pitcher Trevor Williams Speaks Out Following Viral Post Calling Out Dodgers Honoring Drag ‘Nuns’

Transgender

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/major-league-baseball" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toronto Blue Jays</a> have cut pitcher Anthony Bass just over a week after he apologized for sharing a video on social media that encouraged Christians to boycott Bud Light and Target. 
The decision was based mostly on performance, but “distraction” did play a role, according to Blue Jays manager Ross Atkins. Bass had <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ballplayer-caves-and-apologizes-for-sharing-video-on-bud-light-target-boycotts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously apologized for sharing</a> a video on Instagram that made a Biblical case against spending money to support businesses that are pushing people, particularly children, to “darkness.”
“There’s a myriad of variables,” Atkins <a href="https://apnews.com/article/anthony-bass-blue-jays-cut-lgbtq-4fc3409096c7c1b83494ec414cf96f74" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “Performance is usually the driving one and performance was a large aspect of this decision. Distraction was a small part of it and something we had to factor in.”
“We’re trying to build the best possible team we can build,” Atkins said. “This was a baseball decision to make our team better.”
Bass did not comment on the video he shared, but later released an apology where he said he was sorry for the “hurtful video.”
“I recognize yesterday I made a post that was hurtful to the Pride community, which includes friends of mine and close family members of mine. And I am truly sorry for that,” he said in a video put out by the team. 
“I just spoke with my teammates and shared with them my actions yesterday. I apologized with [sic] them, and as of right now I am using the Blue Jays’ resources to better educate myself to make better decisions moving forward,” he added. “The ballpark is for everybody. We include all fans at the ballpark. We want to welcome everybody. That’s all I have to say.”
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On Thursday, Bass seemed to backtrack from the apology, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/09/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays-anthony-bass.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">telling reporters</a> that he stood by his beliefs. 
“I stand by my personal beliefs,” he said. “And everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? Also, I mean no harm towards any groups of people.”
Bass, who had been designated to participate in the first pitch for a“Pride Weekend” game in Toronto, said he did not believe that the video he shared was hateful. In the aftermath of the apology, the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/blue-jays-pitcher-booed-by-home-crowd-after-commenting-on-bud-light-target-boycotts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">35-year-old pitcher has been booed</a> by home fans. 
Bud Light has faced plummeting sales in the aftermath of a partnership with transgender-identifying activist Dylan Mulvaney while Target has faced backlash over its LGBT-themed products for children and “tuck-friendly” female swimwear.

Milwaukee Brewers v Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Cut Pitcher Who Apologized For Sharing Video On Bud Light, Target Boycotts

boycotts

Bud Light

Target

A hometown crowd erupted in boos when Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass walked onto the field on Wednesday — his first appearance since he commented on the Bud Light and Target boycotts and then, a short time later, apologized for doing so.
Several separate waves of boos could be heard in a video clip shared by The Toronto Star&#8217;s baseball columnist Mike Wilner.
WATCH:
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Anthony Bass comes into the game, greeted by a couple of separate choruses of boos. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bluejays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bluejays</a> <a href="https://t.co/NM3IpEA91i">pic.twitter.com/NM3IpEA91i</a>
&mdash; Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wilnerness/status/1664083776870264839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Bass first stirred controversy when he shared an Instagram video from creator Ryan Miller — who called on Christians to boycott Target over clothing catering to trans-identifying children and Bud Light over its partnership with trans-identifying influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
The Major League pitcher racked up a second round of criticisms when he offered an apology, saying in part, &#8220;I recognize yesterday I made a post that was hurtful to the Pride community, which includes friends of mine and close family members of mine. I am truly sorry for that. As of right now, I am using the Blue Jays’ resources to better educate myself to make better decisions moving forward.&#8221;
WATCH:
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Statement from Anthony Bass: <a href="https://t.co/UXLrx1HVO5">pic.twitter.com/UXLrx1HVO5</a>
&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1663638939876356096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Critics attacked Bass for apologizing, noting that he professed to be a Christian and arguing that his apology amounted to a compromise of his beliefs.
&#8220;Looks like a hostage video. Congrats on getting a Christian scalp, Blue Jays,&#8221; one person <a href="https://twitter.com/fugitivemama/status/1663652055838498816" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a> in response.
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&#8220;How shameful you force him to make this idiotic statement and apologize for his beliefs,&#8221; Tom Elliott added.
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How shameful you force him to make this idiotic statement and apologize for his beliefs
&mdash; Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomselliott/status/1663653347155402752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Humiliating. What type of employer would force their employee to do something like this?&#8221; Terry Schilling <a href="https://twitter.com/Schilling1776/status/1663663214758879234" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asked</a>. &#8220;It’s truly enraging. And all around the sport of baseball. Woke ruins everything.&#8221;
It was unclear from the video taken of Bass at Wednesday&#8217;s game whether the crowd was booing because he had shared a video supporting the boycotts or because he later gave in to the calls to apologize for it.

Blue Jays Pitcher Booed By Home Crowd After Commenting On Bud Light, Target Boycotts

Canada

Dylan Mulvaney

Toronto

World

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass apologized on Tuesday for sharing a post on social media encouraging Christians to boycott companies and brands such as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/target" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Target</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bud-light" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bud Light</a> for how they have embraced the LGBTQ community.
The Blue Jays posted a <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1663638939876356096?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">short video of Bass</a> on Twitter addressing reporters with a brief statement expressing remorse for boosting the visibility of a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cspq-sJAS9I/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video on Instagram</a> making a biblical case against spending money to support businesses that are pushing people, particularly children, to &#8220;darkness.&#8221;
&#8220;I recognize yesterday I made a post that was hurtful to the Pride community, which includes friends of mine and close family members of mine. And I am truly sorry for that,&#8221; Bass said.
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Statement from Anthony Bass: <a href="https://t.co/UXLrx1HVO5">pic.twitter.com/UXLrx1HVO5</a>
&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1663638939876356096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;I just spoke with my teammates and shared with them my actions yesterday. I apologized with [sic] them, and as of right now I am using the Blue Jays&#8217; resources to better educate myself to make better decisions moving forward,&#8221; he added. &#8220;The ballpark is for everybody. We include all fans at the ballpark. We want to welcome everybody. That&#8217;s all I have to say.&#8221;
Bud Light faced controversy due to its partnership with self-identified transgender social media influencer <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/dylan-mulvaney" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dylan Mulvaney</a>, leading to calls for a boycott against the beer brand and <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/bud-light-sales-decline-dylan-mulvaney-boycott-latest-1803292" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a drop in sales this year</a>. A similar display of outrage aimed at Target <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/target-loses-10-billion-in-just-ten-days-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plummeted market value</a> over the retailer&#8217;s <a href="https://corporate.target.com/press/releases/2023/05/Target-Statement-on-2023-Pride-Collection" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;Pride&#8221; collection</a>.
The Blue Jays issued a statement voicing support for the LGBTQ community.
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“The Blue Jays bring millions of fans together across Canada and are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all,&#8221; the Blue Jays said in a statement. “The Blue Jays are proud to celebrate LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month, including a special fourth annual Pride Weekend at the ballpark June 9 and 10, and demonstrations of allyship all month long around the ballpark. Individual player sentiments are not representative of the club’s beliefs.&#8221;
Toronto manager John Schneider indicated he believes there needs to be more than just an apology from Bass.
&#8220;We’re not going to pretend like this never happened,&#8221; Schneider said, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-pitcher-anthony-bass-issues-apology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to MLB.com</a>. &#8220;We’re not going to pretend like it’s the end and move on. There are definitely more steps that are going to follow.&#8221;

Anthony Bass

Ballplayer Caves And Apologizes For Sharing Video On Bud Light, Target Boycotts

LGBTQ

Social Issues

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