Murphy welcomed despite past comments
Daniel Murphy has received a mostly warm reception from the Wrigley Field faithful for his performance on the field despite his past remarks about how he “disagreed” with the lifestyle of Billy Bean, a former major league outfielder who is gay and serves as Major League Baseball's Ambassador for Inclusion.
Cubs board member Laura Ricketts, the first openly gay owner of a professional sports team and an LGBTQ activist, issued a series of tweets Sunday explaining the process that led to her approval of Murphy's acquisition from the Nationals last week.
Ricketts said she was consulted before the trade and that there were “several thoughtful conversations” with Cubs executives that included her brothers and Bean himself.
Ricketts added that Bean, who has developed a friendship with Murphy, was “very positive and encouraging.” Ricketts acknowledged that these deep discussions took place because of the Cubs' “sensitivities on the matter,” resulting in her being “on board with the trade.”
Ricketts' tweets were sent Sunday before the 18th annual “Out at Wrigley” day, in which Murphy went 2-for-4 with a double.
During a news conference Thursday at Wrigley Field, Murphy was asked by Tribune baseball columnist Paul Sullivan to clarify his comments from 2015 or whether he had changed his stance.
“What I would say to that is I've been able to really foster what I would call a really positive relationship with Billy Bean since that time,” Murphy replied. “I'm really excited to continue to cultivate that relationship that he has built. Billy's job I think as ambassador for inclusion is a vital role, so that everyone feels included, not only in our industry of baseball but in all aspects of life.”