At least one prominent MLB pitcher was not thrilled by the Tampa Bay Race’s decision not to wear a rainbow-colored logo for the team’s “Pride Night” on Saturday.
Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty shared his thoughts on Twitter after Rays pitchers Jason Adam, Jalen Beaks, Brooks Reilly, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson refused to wear the gay pride logo on their uniforms, saying it was “a decision based on of faith. “
“An absolute joke,” Flaherty tweeted.
Jalen Beaks in regular Rays AP uniform Jason Adam of Tampa Bay RaysGetty Images
Speaking on behalf of the group of five, Adam tried to justify the decision by saying “a lot of it comes down to faith” in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times.
“It’s a difficult decision,” Adam said. “Because in the end we all said what we want is for them to know that everyone is welcome and loved here. But when we put it on our bodies, I think a lot of guys have decided that it’s just a way of life that maybe – not that they look down on someone or think differently – we just might not want to encourage it if we believe in Jesus, who encouraged us to live a way of life that would refrain from this behavior, just as [Jesus] encourages me as a heterosexual man to abstain from sex outside of marriage. It is no different.
“It is not reprehensible. He doesn’t look down. We simply believe in the way of life he has encouraged us to live for our own good, not to keep it. But again, we love these men and women, we care about them and we want them to feel safe and welcome here. ”
Flaherty, however, did not buy it.
Kevin Kirmeyer, a veteran of Reyes’ outfielder who did wear the sticker, told the Times he wanted to promote a culture of inclusion in the team’s stadium.
Drew Rasmussen with the Pride logo on the hat at RaysGetty Images St. Louis Cardinals Launcher Pitcher Jack FlahertyGetty Images Detail of the Tampa Bay Rays logo, exploding logo celebrating Month of PrideGetty Images
“My parents taught me to love everyone as they are, go live your life, whatever your preferences are, go be yourself,” Kirmeyer said. “I can’t speak on behalf of everyone here, obviously, but it’s a family environment here, on a big-league ball court. We just want everyone to feel welcome and involved and applaud us. No matter what your views on something. “
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