Anthony Bass, a reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays, recently faced controversy after sharing an anti-LGBTQ video on his Instagram account in late May. In response to questions from the media, Bass expressed regret for sharing the video but maintained that he stands by his personal religious beliefs. He acknowledged that the video was a distraction and subsequently removed it. Bass clarified that he did not intend to cause harm to any specific groups of people and apologized publicly to his teammates and the public.
The Toronto Blue Jays reliever expressed regret for sharing an anti-LGBTQ video on Instagram and acknowledged that he initially did not view the video as hateful. He stated that he posted it multiple times because it reflected his Christian beliefs. However, upon reflecting on how the video could be perceived, he removed it and apologized.
Although Bass holds firm to his personal beliefs, he wants to make it clear that he has no intention of causing harm to any specific group of people. He admits that the video has caused a distraction and understands that his top priority should be his job and respecting diverse perspectives and decisions. Bass did acknowledge the negative reactions he has received from some fans and is hopeful that they will eventually turn into positive support over time. While he recognizes that forgiveness may not come easily, he is committed to self-improvement and creating an inclusive environment for all fans in the world of baseball.
Bass stated that he did not consider the video to be hateful initially, but he now understands how it could be perceived that way and expressed remorse for his actions. He acknowledged that his primary focus should be on his job and accepting everyone's decisions and views in life. He recognized the need to refrain from posting his personal beliefs on social media platforms in the future.
In light of the incident, the Toronto Blue Jays have arranged for Bass to catch the ceremonial first pitch during the team's annual Pride Weekend. Bass has also engaged with community activist Lezlie Lee Kam and met with Sherwin Modeste, the executive director of Pride Toronto. The Blue Jays general manager, Ross Atkins, revealed that Bass apologized to him and manager John Schneider for the harm caused by his post and expressed strong emotions during the discussion.
Atkins acknowledged that Bass might face booing from fans at the Rogers Centre and stated that Bass understands the repercussions of his behavior. The team remains supportive of their fans' reactions and recognizes their entitlement to respond in such a manner.