Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar has been suspended three games without pay for displaying a gay slur on his eye black during a recent game.
The Blue Jays announced the suspension Tuesday after meeting with Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association at the commissioner Bud Selig’s office in New York to determine Escobar’s punishment.
At least one photo taken by Getty Images showed Escobar wearing the eye black with the slur written in Spanish during Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. Getty Images confirmed the photo’s authenticity to ESPN.com’s Keith Law.
“I’m sorry for the actions of the other day,” Escobar said through a translator during a news conference at Yankee Stadium. “It was not something I intended to be offensive. It was something I just put on the sticker on my face as a joke. There was nothing intentional directed at anyone in particular.
“I don’t have anything against homosexuals. I have friends who are gay. In reality I’d like to ask for the apologies of all those who have been offended by this.”
Considering Escobar makes about $5 million this season, he will lose over $92,000 during his suspension.
Escobar’s forfeited salary during his suspension will be directed by the Blue Jays to You Can Play, a Toronto-based organization promoting peaceful and conflict-resolving lifestyles, and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the team announced.
Escobar also will participate in an outreach initiative to help educate society about insensitivity and tolerance to others.
“I can guarantee this will not happen again in my career,” Escobar said. “And it’s a lesson I’ve learned and will never commit again in my career. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for this to be misinterpreted by the gay community. I apologize.
“It’s just something that’s been said around amongst Latinos. It’s not something that’s meant to be offensive. For us, it didn’t have the significance to the way it’s being interpreted right now. It’s a word used often within teams. … I agree with the suspension and don’t have any problem with it.”
WRITTEN BY Mike Mazzeo is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com & FULL STORY HERE
