 |
| Oakland A's Matt Joyce |
Matt Joyce of the Oakland A's has been suspended for two games after shouting an anti-gay slur at a fan during the A's 8-6 loss to the Angels this past Friday.
BleacherReport has the details:
Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce used an anti-gay slur Friday night during a verbal exchange with a fan while the A's were playing the Los Angeles Angels on the road.
Associated Press photographer Mark J. Terrill provided details, though he admitted to not hearing the beginning of the conversation, per ESPN.com. The Oakland right fielder said following the game he felt "regret" about the situation.
"It's just one of those things that fans kind of get into the game. Obviously, we're pretty frustrated on our side, and I had just hit a ball hard and had Cron [first baseman C.J. Cron] make a good play," he said.
"I was walking back to the dugout and just had a fan yell some vulgar and obscene words. For me, it just wasn't the right time to say some stuff like that. I fired back, and obviously as soon as you fire back, you regret saying anything, because it's just not worth it."
The Oakland A's issued a statement via Twitter denouncing the slur:
The A's are disappointed by the comments Matt Joyce made to a fan last night. This language is unacceptable & will not be tolerated.— Oakland A's 🌳🐘⚾️ (@Athletics) August 5, 2017
The 33-year-old has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Suspended for two games for the incident, Joyce has issued an apology on his Twitter:
1/ In regard to last night's incident, I first and foremost want to sincerely apologize to the fans, the Oakland A's, MLB and the most— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) August 5, 2017
2/ importantly the LGBTQ community for my comments and actions. A fan yelled vulgar and obscene words about me and my family and I let my— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) August 5, 2017
3/ frustrations and emotions get the better of me. I am beyond sorry for the inappropriate language that I used and understand and agree— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) August 5, 2017
4/ that those words should NEVER come out of someone's mouth no matter the situation. Anyone who knows me will tell you that incident it is— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) August 5, 2017
5/ not reflective of me as a person, how I treat others, how I live my life and that those hurtful words are not my views. I fully support— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) August 5, 2017
6/ and hope to help the LGBTQ community with their efforts in being treated fairly and intend to let my actions speak louder than anything— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) August 5, 2017
7/ more that can be said about this truly regrettable moment.— Matthew Joyce (@sweetswingin20) August 5, 2017
. @Athletics OF Matt Joyce has received a 2-game suspension w/o pay, starting tonight.— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) August 5, 2017
The A's are reportedly donating Joyce's lost salary of nearly $54,000 to PFLAG.
The You Can Play team would like to invite the Oakland Athletics’ Matt Joyce ... to promote respect for the game of baseball and all fans. pic.twitter.com/PfQDm080BE— You Can Play Project (@YouCanPlayTeam) August 5, 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.