MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred: Ready to support gay players

Major League Baseball has seen two former players speak publicly about their homosexuality, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred shares his thoughts on LGBTQ inclusion in baseball.

Glenn Burke is a legend in the world of gay athletes, having been partially out during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Years later, Billy Bean would play for the Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the closet. Bean would later come out publicly and play a major role in Major League Baseball.

Bean made the introduction to MLB Commissioner Manfred, and we were able to ask Manfred a few questions via email about LGBTQ inclusion. This is believed to be the first interview by an LGBTQ publication with a commissioner from one of the Power Five leagues in America.

From our interview, we learned that there is one element of MLB’s LGBTQ inclusion awareness that Manfred is most proud of. And it involves the league’s most valuable ambassadors: the players.

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“Our player training program, ‘Ahead in the Count,’” Manfred told Outsports. “This has instilled and continues to foster a culture of acceptance in our sport.

“MLB players are and always will be our greatest ambassadors. After being drafted or signing a professional contract, each young player is presented with programming on MLB values. This has virtually eliminated biased comments from our players on social media and created a welcoming clubhouse culture for MLB professionals, regardless of their identity.

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Manfred said he and MLB would not get involved in a player’s interest in publicly coming out as gay, bi or otherwise.

“A player’s decision to come out publicly (or not) is an incredibly personal decision. Each player is part of a supportive environment that emphasizes their off-field development and well-being as a citizen as well as their development as a player. We will never influence a player to make a personal decision on a public platform, but we will continue to support our players in any way possible.

Manfred spoke enthusiastically about MLB’s LGBTQ employee resource group.

“I would share our inclusive player training program discussing LGBTQ acceptance, a thriving MLB employee resource group called “MLB PRIDE” and our recruiting efforts led by Billy Bean (DEI department) with awareness LGBTQ professionals in media and technology, and LGBTQ college students (on-campus and virtual career fairs). Our ballpark message continues to evolve in a way that makes every fan feel welcome and part of the MLB family.

Beyond the front office and team front offices, Manfred highlighted the league’s commitment to players, with the goal of creating a welcoming environment in the locker room among players.

“MLB players are an extremely diverse group of professional athletes, with players from many different cultures from around the world,” he told Outsports. “Education is an essential element of their development. I am proud to say that all 30 clubs in the league participate in our programming.

“Every conversation about inclusion focuses on the toxic effects of all forms of bias and discrimination, including homophobia. »