Would openly gay players be accepted in baseball?
Tolerance and acceptance may be gaining traction in professional sports, but openly gay baseball players should probably still expect a few locker-room hurdles.
NBA player Jason Collins has drawn extensive praise for coming out publicly earlier this week. He’s been credited as the first active player in the current major sports leagues to do so.
Albuquerque Isotopes officials and players are certainly aware of Collins’ announcement, which has generated national media and social-media storms. How much change it will engender, they say, is less certain.
Among current Isotopes players, Tony Gwynn Jr. has spent by far the most time in major league clubhouses. Asked about the prospect of an openly gay teammate in that environment, Gwynn was ambivalent.
“As far as the athletes are concerned, I think it would be split 50-50,” Gwynn said. “(Homosexuality) conflicts with a lot of players’ religions. It conflicts with mine, but at the same time I definitely wouldn’t shun somebody for their personal life. I’m in no position to judge anyone.”
Gwynn pointed out that while nearly all the initial reaction to Collins’ announcement was supportive, less-favorable comments have since begun to surface.
“I would like to say it wouldn’t matter,” Gwynn said, “but it’s a tough society. I still think there would be some times when (an openly gay) player would be treated differently.”
Gwynn said players typically don’t pay much attention to teammates’ sexual preferences, and Isotopes manager Lorenzo Bundy agreed. Both acknowledged they have likely been on teams with gay players, but none that were openly so.
“Of course you hear rumors,” Bundy said, “but in my years of playing,
coaching and managing, I’ve never had a gay player in the clubhouse that I knew of.”
Bundy believes clubhouse environments mirror society and that openly gay players would be better accepted now than in past eras.
“It’s not the 1960s anymore,” he said. “Looking at it as a manager, you want teams with competitors, guys that want to win. As long as a player helps you win, I think guys in the clubhouse would come onboard.”
Isotopes general manager John Traub agreed.
“Maybe Jason Collins coming out will raise some awareness, and it may encourage some other athletes to follow,” Traub said. “If it does, I think that’s great, but I also think it’s a nonissue. Society has changed. If a player can help you win games, he’ll be accepted.”
Oddly enough, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Albuquerque Dukes had one of baseball’s first admitted gay players on their rosters. Glenn Burke, who played for the Dodgers, Dukes and Oakland Athletics in the 1970s, did not publicly come out until his career ended but told teammates of his sexual preference.
Burke also left a legacy that had little to do with being gay. It started when he congratulated Dodgers teammate Dusty Baker after a home run.
“Most people don’t remember Glenn Burke as a gay ballplayer,” Traub said. “He’s remembered for inventing the high-five.”
Traub said the Dodgers/ Isotopes do not have policies regarding with whom players room, either at home or on the road. Players generally choose their own accommodation situations.
But Traub believes the Dodgers organization will accommodate an openly gay player whether/when the situation arises.
“(Minority owner) Magic Johnson’s son came out this month, and he embraced it,” Traub said. “Besides, the Dodgers have shown themselves to be a very open, accepting organization over the years. I just don’t see it being an issue.”