Pillar suspended 2 games for slur
THE BLUE JAYS suspended Kevin Pillar for two games after the Toronto outfielder yelled a homophobic slur Wednesday night after striking out against Braves reliever Jason Motte.
After whiffing on a quick pitch outside to end the top of the seventh inning, Pillar yelled toward the mound at Motte, resulting in the first of two bench-clearing incidents.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are extremely disappointed by the comments made by Kevin Pillar following his at-bat during the 7th inning of (Wednesday’s) game,” the Blue Jays said in a statement. “In no way is this kind of behavior accepted or tolerated.
“We would like to extend our apologies to all fans, Major League Baseball and especially the LGBTQ community.”
MLB had been investigating the incident Thursday, and commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the matter at the conclusion of Thursday’s baseball owners’ meetings in Manhattan.
“We’re in the process of trying to gather the facts as a prelude to determine whether and what discipline is appropriate,” Manfred said before the suspension was announced.
The Blue Jays eventually lost in Atlanta, 8-4, and Pillar said he wanted to apologize to Motte after the game, calling what he said “immature” and “stupid.”
Thursday afternoon, Pillar said he finally got the chance to apologize for using “inappropriate language.”
“By doing so I had just helped extend the use of a word that has no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today,” Pillar said in a statement. “I’m completely and utterly embarrassed and feel horrible to have put the fans, my teammates and the Blue Jays organization in this position. I have apologized personally to Jason Motte, but also need to apologize to the Braves organization and their fans, and most importantly, to the LGBTQ community for the lack of respect I displayed last night. This is not who I am and I will use this as an opportunity to better myself.”
The Blue Jays said they hoped Pillar — who was described in the statement as a “respectful, high-character individual” — would “learn from this situation” and “live up to our values on and off the field.”