MLB: Hader must take sensitivity training after tweets
WASHINGTON » Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader will be required to go through sensitivity training after years-old racist and homophobic tweets of his resurfaced during the All-Star Game, Major League Baseball said Wednesday.
MLB announced that the commissioner’s office would require Hader to participate in diversity and inclusion initiatives in addition to the sensitivity training. In a statement, Brewers general manager David Stearns said the team would continue to work through the issue with Hader.
Several of Hader’s tweets from 2011 and 2012 came to light Tuesday night while Hader was pitching in the AllStar Game. Hader learned of the situation when he left the game, apologized and took responsibility for the tweets, saying they did not reflect his values or the person he is now.
“During last night’s game we became aware of Mr. Hader’s unacceptable social media comments in years past and have since been in communication with the Brewers regarding our shared concerns,” MLB said in a statement. “After the game, Mr. Hader took the necessary step of expressing remorse for his highly offensive and hurtful language, which fails to represent the values of our game and our expectations for all those who are a part of it.”
The 24-year-old Hader said he did not “vividly” remember the tweets.
“Being 17 years old, you make stupid decisions and mistakes,” Hader said Tuesday night.