Fri. August 24, 2018
Chicago, IL -
The Chicago Cubs new infielder Daniel Murphy tried to clarify his controversial anti-gay comments on Thursday after the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds.
Murphy, who was acquired by the Cubs earlier this week, made homophobic comments in 2015 about former MLB player Billy Bean, who came out as gay following his big league career.
"I disagree with his lifestyle. I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual," Murphy said. "That doesn't mean I can't still invest in him and get to know him. I don't think the fact that someone is a homosexual should completely shut the door on investing in them in a relational aspect."
Bean, who serves as Major League Baseball's Ambassador of Inclusion, said he and Murphy have since found common ground and become friends. Murphy has never publicly addressed his comments, until Thursday when questioned by reporters.
"Oh, dear," Murphy said. "I would hope that you would root for the Cubs."
"I hope that anyone who comes to Wrigley Field would feel welcome," he added. "That's my hope. That's the hope of Major League Baseball. And in speaking with Billy Bean, [through] the relationship we've been able to forge, that's what he's trying to do. That's what we're trying to do as an industry. We want people to feel welcome, whatever walk of life that might be."
Cubs G.M. Jed Hoyer said that the Cubs consulted with Bean before trading for Murphy, and that they were given an endorsement to execute the deal.
Cyd Zeigler, editor of OutSports.com, said Murphy's new message only makes things worse.
"Off the field, Murphy did nothing to quell the concerns of LGBTQ Cubs fans that an avowed homophobe was now part of their favorite team," he wrote. "Murphy has, even with this press conference, demonstrated no interest in building bridges."
Out at Wrigley organizer Bill Gubrud agrees with Zeigler.
"Murphy has not done enough in the past 3 years to rectify his offensive remarks," Gubrud told ChicagoPride.com.
Out at Wrigley, the longest-running LGBT-themed day among the 30 MLB teams, is this Sunday at 1:20 p.m.
Gubrud has worked with the Ricketts family for the past nine years and said they respect and value their LGBT fans.
Under the Ricketts family, the Cubs have had a presence in the Chicago Pride Parade every year since 2010. The team brought the World Series Championship Trophy on their float in 2017, which was the first time a World Series Trophy has been included in a Pride parade.
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