The Toronto Blue Jays designated Anthony Bass for assignment after he shared a video on social media in support of boycotts against Target and Bud Light. In other words, the athlete is no longer part of the team's roster, and the next seven days will define where his professional future will continue.
The baseball team announced Friday that the 35-year-old pitcher would be sent to the minor leagues for the upcoming game. This was hours before a ceremony kicking off Pride Weekend. Bass was sidelined from a game against Minnesota in which he was to catch the opening pitch from LGBTQ activist leZlie Lee Kam.
Celebrating #Pride Weekend at the ballpark! #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/Xzn4IgdzJp
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 9, 2023
Although the Toronto Blue Jays did not clarify the reasons for his removal in the tweet where the announced his assignment, general manager Ross Atkins acknowledged that there were a "myriad of variables."
He acknowledged as much last Friday, in a statement reported by AP. "Performance is usually the driving one and performance was a large aspect of this decision," Atkins explained before admitting, "Distraction was a small part of it and something we had to factor in."
ROSTER MOVES:
🔹 RHP Mitch White has been reinstated from the 60-day IL and will be active for tonight’s game
🔹 RHP Anthony Bass has been designated for assignment pic.twitter.com/O36mqtPENc
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 9, 2023
The video that started the controversy
Late last month, Bass posted a video in favor of boycotts against Target and Bud Light for their LGBT campaigns. He uploaded the video to his story on Instagram. It was originally created by a user who posts biblical-themed content.
In that one, the Bible is quoted to explain that to buy products from those companies is to be part of the "darkness" they are spreading. Instead, he says, it is necessary to expose what these companies are doing and that it is not a political issue, it is biblical.
See this Instagram video by @dudewithgoodnews https://t.co/8k8oWGxOV4
— Jaycupp, Her Oldess (@AsAKitchenTable) May 31, 2023
Bass' apology
Just one day after sharing the post, Bass apologized in front of a group of journalists inside the Rogers Centre.
"I recognize yesterday that I made a post that was hurtful to the pride community, which includes friends of mine, close family members of mine," the player maintained. "As of right now I'm using the Blue Jays' resources to better educate myself. ... The ballpark is for everybody."
Statement from Anthony Bass: pic.twitter.com/UXLrx1HVO5
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 30, 2023
Despite his public apology, some Blue Jays fans booed him during games in Toronto:
A round of boos for Anthony Bass as he enters the game to pitch the ninth. pic.twitter.com/KdI9MSsa9B
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) June 1, 2023
The controversy escalated last Thursday, when Bass assured: "I stand by my personal beliefs." He was also of the opinion at the time that everyone had the right to have their own convictions and that he did not intend to harm anyone. The next day, Blue Jays took him out of the lineup for their next game.
