Five Rays members chose not to wear the rainbow logo on their uniforms on Saturday as part of the team’s 16th annual Pride Night celebration, saying it was a “decision based on faith “for many of them. However, another MLB player did not seem to accept the explanation given by those who abstained.
Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty learned of the situation in Tampa to give his opinion on Twitter about Rays pitchers Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson who decided not to bring the logo. Responding to a tweet about the players’ explanation, Flaherty apparently described the justification for giving up the logo as an “absolute joke.”
Adam, who is in his first season with the Rays, was chosen to speak on behalf of the group who decided not to wear the logos and described the decision as “faith-based”.
“Much of it comes down to faith, to liking a decision based on faith,” Adam said, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. “So it’s a difficult decision. Because in the end we all said that what we want is for them to know that everyone here is welcome and loved. But when we put it in our body, I think a lot of guys decided it was just a lifestyle. that perhaps — not that they despise anyone or think differently — is that we may not want to encourage it if we believe in Jesus, who has encouraged us to live a lifestyle that refrains from such behavior. [Jesus] he encourages me as a heterosexual man to abstain from sex outside the confines of marriage. It’s no different.
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“It simply came to our notice then. Don’t look down. It is what we believe is the lifestyle that has encouraged us to live, for our own good, not to retain. But again, we love these men and women, we care about them, and we want them to feel safe and welcome here. “
Veteran Rays camper Kevin Kiermaier, who wore the rainbow logo, said creating an inclusive environment at the team’s stadium was a priority for him.
“It’s one of those things, my parents taught me to love everyone the way they are, go live your life, whatever your preferences are, be you,” Kiermaier told Topkin. “I can’t speak on behalf of everyone here, obviously, but this is a family environment here on a big league ball court … We just want everyone to feel welcome and included and cheer us on. No matter what be your opinions on anything “.
Rays coach Kevin Cash addressed the situation after Sunday’s game, saying he did not believe the different views would adversely affect the club. Previously, he said the players have held “many conversations” over the past few weeks on the subject and have emphasized “valuing the different perspectives”.
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