Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred addressed the media on Thursday at the league’s headquarters following the owners’ meetings in New York. And while the man in charge spent a good percentage of his time in front of the press discussing the Oakland Athletics proposed relocation to Las Vegas, there was one other pressing topic on everyone’s mind.
Rob Manfred via MLB YouTube
Thar subject was the LGBTQ community – and more specifically – how America’s Pastime can properly recognize it as a whole without upsetting a large portion of its paying audience. And in 2023, that’s a tough tightrope walk for any major corporation or entity.
With a huge swath of the nation refusing to go woke, traditional baseball fans have rejected some of MLB’s methods. Particularly in Los Angeles, where the Dodgers’ decision to invite a notoriously anti-Catholic gay group to their Pride event sparked calls for a boycott from religious leaders.
On the flip side of the same equation are the Texas Rangers, who have chosen to stay totally above the fray. They are not hosting any events to observe this month at all. For the most part, the backlash from their fan base has been minimal.
Baseball Major League: Texas Rangers will not tolerate Pride Month this year.⚾️#VictoryNews #TexasRangers #Baseball #MajorLeagueBaseball #CancelPride #PrideMonth2023 pic.twitter.com/0oxKDMOB7G
— The Victory Channel (@GoVictoryTV) June 13, 2023
The Rangers have stated clearly that it’s not about discrimination, but rather inclusion without causing anyone attending a game to feel offended or uncomfortable. In a statement to the Associated Press the club says they are committed to making everyone feel welcome and included, and “that means in our ballpark, at every game, and in all we do — for both our fans and our employees.”
Another team, the Tampa Bay Rays made headlines in 2022 when several of their players elected against wearing the team’s rainbow-themed gear, citing their personal beliefs.
However, with MLB dealing with a public relations nightmare that has seen teams change their in-house policies, players get cut for making homophobic social media posts, and conservative fans in an uproar, it was all coming to a head. Something had to give.
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In other words, it was time for Manfred to man up.
The commissioner did just that, telling the media that while Major League Baseball wants to respect all of it supporters, they also have to strike a balance when it comes to sensibilities. That started this week, with MLB officials nudging teams towards NOT displaying LGBTQ-inspired patches or logos on their uniforms.
Manfred essentially stated that he didn’t want players who didn’t agree with their team’s official stance to be put in an uncomfortable and (possibly) immoral position. At least from their own, personal perspective.
Pride Night at Dodgers stadium via KTLA 5 YouTube
“We have told teams, in terms of actual uniforms, hats, bases that we don’t think putting logos on them is a good idea just because of the desire to protect players,” Manfred said, according to the Washington Post, “not putting them in a position of doing something that may make them uncomfortable because of their personal views.”
MLB okayed the Giants and Dodgers to wear Pride patches this season because of a preexisting agreement.
It’s a sign that baseball is looking at more subtle ways to approach the issue of LGBTQ recognition – one that could be even more significant than mere patches on uniforms.
Perhaps everyone can take a lesson from one of the teams who originally decided against wearing such paraphernalia: The Tampa Bay Rays. For their part, They have chosen to honor ALL fans, by adding a decal to their right-field wall that simply reads “Baseball is for Everyone.”