Pitcher Anthony Bass was fired by the Toronto Blue Jays more than a week after he apologized for posting a video online that advocated for a Christian boycott of Bud Light and Target.
Ross Atkins, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, acknowledged “distraction” also played a role despite performance being the primary issue. Bass had previously issued an apology for an Instagram video in which he suggested that people shouldn’t support businesses that are luring young people into “darkness.”
Infinite variables, as Atkins put it. For the most part, performance is what drives these kinds of decisions, and that was certainly the case here. We have to factor in the fact that outside factors contributed slightly.
A quote from Atkins: “We’re trying to build the best team we can build.” As the saying goes, “we made a baseball decision to strengthen our team.”
Although Bass first declined to comment on the video’s reception, he later offered an apology for what he called the “hurtful video.”
Many of my close friends and family members in the Pride community have voiced their disappointment at a post I made the day before. The team issued a video in which he professed his guilt for his actions: “I profoundly regret what I have done.
I just told my crew what went down yesterday. I’ve expressed regret and am now making use of the Blue Jays’ tools to make better choices in the future. The ballpark is open to the public. You can pick on anyone in the stadium. Take this as our sincere greeting. I can’t think of anything to say.
On Thursday, Bass tried to walk back his apologies, telling reporters that he stood by his earlier statements.
After saying, “I stand by my personal beliefs,” he elaborated. And you know it’s fine to think for yourself, right? I have no malicious intent toward any groups, either.
Bass, who was scheduled to throw out the first ball at a Toronto “Pride Weekend” game, suddenly says he does not believe the video in question is racist. The home fans booed the 35-year-old pitcher after he apologized.
Bud Light’s sales have dropped after the company partnered with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, and Target has been criticized for their LGBT-themed children’s products and “tuck-friendly” swimwear.