The Blue Jays have issued a two-game suspension to center fielder Kevin Pillar, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports (links to Twitter). The 28-year-old has acknowledged and apologized for his use of a homophobic slur during an argument in last night’s game.
Toronto handed down the decision after consulting with the league and player’s association, per GM Ross Atkins. The salary that Pillar will forego will be donated in some manner. Outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. will take Pillar’s roster spot for the time being, the club announced.
The Jays had already released a statement condemning Pillar’s comments, explaining that they were not “a reflection of the type of inclusive organization we strive to be.” But the team did also say that it views Pillar as “a respectful, high-character individual” who would hopefully “learn from this situation and continue to positively contribute and live up to our values on and off the field.”
While it’s obviously unfortunate that Pillar uttered the derogatory remark, he did take full responsibility in his own statement. By using the “inappropriate language,” he said, he “helped extend the use of a word that has no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today.” For that, Pillar said, he is “completely and utterly embarrassed.” The outfielder offered his apologies to Braves reliever Jason Motte (the target of the slur) as well as to “the Braves organization and their fans, and most importantly, to the LGBTQ community” for what he called “the lack of respect I displayed last night.”
blue jays are a bunch of little punks. serves him right. hope bautista gets another right hook for that bat flip in a game you’re down 5 runs. ridiculous.
I agree and I tend to be someone who is pro-bat flip. Certain situations just don’t call for it. Toss your bat high in the air trying to stare the pitcher in the eyes when you’re down 5 is not the right time.
Go classic and give him some chin music. Guarantee he will stop. Because if he wants to fight just grab Odor. He’ll finish it for you.
See you guys in October
Right….
Odor swung his hardest and didn’t knock him over…
You forget how big these guys are.
Atlanta drilled José in the first inning on Friday, and he came around to score.
That’ll teach him!
Then scores 2 batters later and now it’s 9-0…. serves Atlanta right
On the golf course?
Yeah I mean you can celebrate not getting swept I guess.
They split one series and got swept in the other
Pillar’s comment does not reflect the Blue Jays organization, nor, in my opinion, does it reflect Pillar. Pillar should not have said what he did, he’s acknowledged same, and he’ll pay his price. Pillar made a mistake.
I agree, not sure if this should be worthy of a suspension. The thing with saying this kind of word is that he obviously didn’t mean it in a way which is derogatory to homosexuals (I know the word in itself is), but he was just using the word f** as many people do as a synonym for a** or b***. When most people say this they arent thinking specifically about homosexuals and directing this towards them or implying that the pitcher is gay. But I guess in this day and age one should know better especially if you’re kind of a public figure.
I’m not sure I follow. If the word itself is derogatory toward homosexuals, how is using it not the same? When most people say this they are specifically thinking about homosexuals, because the implication is that being a homosexual is bad. That’s what makes it offensive.
You’re also saying it’s not derogatory because he wasn’t implying the pitcher is gay. In other words, you’re saying that being gay is a bad thing.
Yeah this is a bad argument. He wasn’t saying that.
When you’re waiting at an unprotected left turn then right as the light turns yellow a car speeds through the intersection causing you to have to wait another cycle, what’s the first word that pops in your head?
mother-, or son-
Nice south park reference. Indeed he wasn’t using it to demean the homosexual community directly but by using it in any derogatory context he will indirectly cause offense.
Pillar lost his cool, but from his response you can tell that he knows better and didn’t think before reverting back to middle school.
People our age grew up using these kind of words, even if in a non-homophobic context which is something that hopefully won’t happen with this younger generation.
Agreed. I also grew up using it and other offensive terms centered on homosexuality. Now I’m older and wiser and I regret it, because I probably did end up inadvertently offending people. Back then nobody really took the time to explain to kids why it was offensive, at least not in the rural area where I grew up. Adults used it too, and the general consensus was that being gay made you less of a person, and a deserving target of ridicule. Clearly that isn’t true. Kids are impressionable, but I can’t fathom how a well-adjusted adult would think it’s an acceptable thing to say. I’m not trying to target Pillar here – everyone makes mistakes and he seems genuinely regretful. It’s the people who are really sensitive about his suspension I don’t understand. Being mindful of other people doesn’t make you a snowflake, it makes you an adult.
@liam Thanks this is exactly what I meant to say- I guess my wording didnt make much sense though
@larry2bernandez I feel the exact same way.. Thanks for your thoughtful voice of reason.
Because we aren’t injured enough … that’s wrong with a fine
Very weak suspicion, should have been 10 games.
Okay … you guys can yell racial slurs at players though
How do you know this person yelled a racial slur?
Apparently that’s different in the opinion of many. Not a word about that around here.
As an ambassador for Red Sox fans due to his screen name**
A few jerks from the suburbs ain’t everyone.
Don’t know how old you guys are, but remember when we played “Smear the Queer”. It was just a funny sounding word to us.
I played that game as a kid. One day I came home and told my mom the name of the game. Needless to say, we never called it that ever again.
Why?
Or the old term I won’t say here growing up for knocking on a door and running, now known as ding dong ditch. As a kid it was never thought of as derogatory. Just like smear the queer, an all time fav as a kid
Par for the course for the blue jays. Bautista/Donaldson’s attitude problems, their awful fans and issues like this make them arguably the most dislikable team in baseball.
How the hell does Donaldson have an attitude problem? Please explain … And awful fans? Sorry … do you hear us chanting “Canada Canada Canada” like you over patriotic morons
I don’t get what we’re arguing aboot
What does that even mean? Lol
There’s been countless times where the jays are on the road and fans start chanting “USA USA USA” … hence the over patriotic morons comment
like he said…..awful fans, like you
Awful fans? You mean like every single team ever has?
It’s fine to not like a team, but a lot of your reasoning is just flat out wrong.
Agreed. They are collectively annoying.
Nobody’s worse than the Red Sox. Blue Jays are in the running for second worst though. It’s really due to Joey Bats and Josh D’s collective attitudes, though compounded by many of their fans trying to defend their stances.
It’s pathetic that Pillar got suspended. Professional players are being turned into robots by being told everything they are allowed to do or say and if they don’t they get suspended. When people get mad they say things out of frustration. It’s terrible that players are getting suspended for saying “words” that could hurt people’s feelings. Pitchers intentionally throw at batters with 95 mph fastballs and don’t get suspensions but Pillar say the wrong thing and gets 2 games. Soon the players won’t be able to talk at all.
if you play for a professional sports team, and you are being watched by millions of people, and people look up to you, then you can’t go around using slurs that offend people. just because it doesn’t offend you, doesn’t mean it’s not offense for others.
If your employer tells you that, as a highly visible public figure, you aren’t allowed to use slurs while acting as a member of their organization, that is not the same as not being allowed to talk. It’s not even close.
Throwing at people intentionally is a suspendible offense, but isn’t enforced enough.
Needless to say, Pillar would agree that he deserves a suspension and that’s all that matters. You can get angry and use a word that is a more appropiate to what you mean.
But how come it’s ok for Donald Trump to say it!?!?!?
But in all seriousness, Pillar probably just got caught up in the heat of the moment. Talk about bad PR.
Should be banned for life. Shoeless Joe, Pete Rose and Kevin Pillar. Would serve him right.
Now that’s a little extreme.
I think thats the joke.
What a joke. The PC crap is unbelievable.
3% of the population chooses to have sexual relations in a different manner than the other 97% so lets all be really really careful not to upset them.
As ever, it’s people such as yourself who seem the most upset. So sensitive! Everyone involved seems to have agreed some penance was forthcoming. Seems Pillar himself does as well; I thought his statement showed real awareness … he clearly acknowledged (in more than a begrudging, cursory way) that he himself did not believe it was an acceptable thing to say.
Anyhow, feel free to continue discussing this within the bounds of our commenting rules. But please stop trying to insert naughty words … there are kids here, you know?
LOL did you forget how upset people became when Daniel Murphy simply said he doesnt agree with the life style Jeff? They went as far to call him a bigot. Yeah people really showed tolerance then. Don’t fool yourself. The 3% and those that support them are the most sensitive and emotionally unstable people on this planet it seems- need proof? Well those people need safe spaces, colleges prevent people from saying hurtful words, and fake news is used to support the reality they want to pretend exists.
Pillar made a poor choice of words though.
nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2015/10/mets_daniel_murphy_c…
Agreed 100%
This ^^^^^^^
Why do you assume that anyone who disagrees with the use of bigoted language is unable to draw subtle lines? That they all overreact to everything and need safe spaces? Why is it that those who do overreact are held up as speaking for so many others?
My goodness, if this recent era of unending back and forth proves anything, it’s that we all need to find a manner of discussing things honestly instead of politicizing, generalizing, and dramatizing every single topic before us. Oh, and that the cultural reactionaries are every bit as sensitive as the progressives, in their own way.
Need proof? Read this post’s entirely neutral tone. Think about the slap on the wrist represented by the punishment, and then explain why it was such an affront for a business to take the step it did?
Anyway, I don’t remember the particulars of the entire Murphy saga, but I do agree with not automatically labeling people as bigots and such … for much the same reason I don’t agree with calling them slurs based on their innate characteristics, social grouping, etc.
Well for one, colleges (20, 30) of 40,000+ people are ushering in safe spaces where conservative speakers are banned. If you havent noticied- my data far outweighs your small sample size on your comment section. Sorry to say but millions of women marching, thousands of students preventing people from speaking at colleges etc the comments nailed more people than it did not.
Also, for the record, that’s not proof. If anything it is indicative of the frustration people have felt being and seeing people called bigots, xenophobic, etc simply for disagreeing- not even name calling but simply disagreeing for 8 years. Sensitive? Not even close. Frustrated and tired of being belittled simply cause of their opinions and treated like second class citizens who people have beat and attacked for their opinions.
Funny, you’d think the 3% would be able to relate to the name calling and beatings and NOT engage in such behavior or watch others who support them do such. They don’t like homophobic slurs but are ok dishing out names like bigot xenophobe sexist racist etc.
Finally, people seem to disagree with the punishment not the fact he was punished. A monetary fine would have been more appropriate.
But seriously, do a poll on the kevin pillar suspension. Give people a choice.
Do they agree with the suspension
Should he have been given a monetary fine instead
Or should he have not been punished.
See what people think. My guess is people will choose the 2nd option.
What is wrong with millions of women marching? What is the relevance of that to this? 8 years … this is all somehow tied to Obama being elected? Man, I’m confused. Feel free to try to engage me off of this forum, but we are far afield of Kevin Pillar, so I am done with it here.
We are talking about sensitivity correct?
Didnt millions of women march because trump SAID he would grab em by their private parts? And didnt women actually say worse and more disgusting things during the march? So sensitive. People can march and protest peacefully all they want. My biggest issue with the march was all the trash they left behind and didnt clean up after themselves.
Actually im not tying it to obama or blaming obama. Im simply saying during 8 years many people endured being called racists xenophobic homophobic sexists bigots which are still derogatory terms in their own right used to belittle people by the sensitive bunch who oppose homophobic slurs. Kind of ironic really. And many endured being assaulted physically simply for disagreeing with opinions.
Pillar made a poor choice. But funny thing- padres recently had pride night or whatever. Well doesnt that isolate fans and insult fans who disagree with the life style? I dont see things like singles night or marriage night bring the kids. Funny how that works. Blue jays also host pride night. So theyre not ok with pillar using slurs cause it might insult someone but theyre ok insulting people with things like pride night. Again, funny how that works. Id prefer if the MLB kept out of things like that. Wanna do 80s night 90s night 70s night African themed europe themed south america themed night with foods go right ahead.
Would you be OK with Pride Night if they set up a safe space for you so your fee fees don’t get hurt over being soooooo disenfranchised?
BEING GAY IS NOT A LIFESTYLE. PERIOD. END STOP. If you are an actual teacher and believe this it is time for you to get out of the profession.
I honestly don’t care about pride night. Dont like pride night dont go to pride night. Simple concept. But I am sure people like you Larry don’t understand the simplicity of such an idea- same idea applies to all those banned speakers at universities. Dont like them dont attend simple concept.. Just like I dont go to gay bars. Im perfectly fine with them hosting pride night. They can do what they want and I am free to spend my money how I want.
Way to completely miss the point though Larry. Its like you didnt, or couldnt, read the comment man. Jays are worried about isolating fans cause of pillars comments…..but arent worried about isolating fans that dont agree with the life style and don’t support the life style. Cause, equality LOL.
David- they havent found the gay gene. theatlantic.com/science/archive/2015/10/no-scienti…
Until they find the gay gene, it doesnt mysteriously become genetic.
Most advanced research says its mostly environmental factors that contribute. Environmental isnt genetic.
They actually find tangible proof it sexists, Ill stop calling it a life style. Until then its a life style
Also, math teacher, not science/biology teacher. In case my user name confused you. I dont subject my students to my opinions on topics- not the time or place since its my job to teach them math.. But I feel sorry for your kids david if you think telling them what to think is right. I don’t, but I am allowed to have opinions even if your do not agree.
It’s a war on free speech. In our society if you don’t follow a politically correct opinion you could lose your job. That’s literally oppression not free speech. So Kevin Pillar is not allowed to dislike gay people? Or to use “offensive terms”? He should have a right to say whatever he wants. Unless he’s threatenng to kill a gay person or hurt them physically in any way he should say whatever he wants, Personally I have no problem with gay people, that said if he does he has a right to.
Kevin pillar is not allowed to dislike a person because they are gay that is correct
So you can dislike someone cause they’re a murderer or a pedophile simply because they are a murderer/ pedophile, but not ok cause of their life style? No, you can dislike people for whatever reason you want in life. Nobody should force you to like people and shame on you for trying to be the thought police.
What you can’t do is assault them, attack them (physically or verbally). And you shouldnt go out of your way to be mean or spiteful to them. But you sure can not like a person for whatever reason. People dislike others all the time cause of personalities and politics.
I hate murderers and pedophiles because of actions, not because of their lifestyle. I’ll hate any murderer of any race. I won’t hate any people because of their lifestyle
“But you sure can not like a person for whatever reason.”
Absolutely. And really all that happened in 2015 was a lot of people decided they didn’t like Daniel Murphy.
And I don’t like you.
That’s fine- they can dislike Daniel Murphy all they want. But shaming him and calling him a bigot was uncalled for.
Feelings mutual. Won’t be losing sleep over it though.
Literally an employer reacting to the public statements of a public-facing employee is not oppression. Free speech, as defined in the Constitution and as interpreted by the courts, is critically important, but it is not “a right to say whatever [one] wants” whenever one wants without any repercussions.
Free Speech in the Constitution only guarantees the government won’t suppress your speech as well. I have no idea why people think Free Speech applies in private employment or citizen to citizen. Just a way to feign patriotic “I’m being oppressed” while not understanding what the Constitution actually guarantees a person.
Being gay is not a life style. Jesus H Christ. It’s stunning that this had to be spelled out to you.
Hey! MLB Trade Rumors, please remove the previous post. It is extremely offensive to me (and I’m sure others) as a practicing Christian.
Come on! MLB Trade Rumors, please remove the previous post by davidcoonce74. As a practicing Christian it is extremely offensive to me! Thank you.
Free speech, huh? Use that word at your job.
I guarantee I pray daily more than you do.
What exactly did you spell out? All you said, twice, was it is not a life style. You proved nothing lol.
Here you go, again. theatlantic.com/science/archive/2015/10/no-scienti…
When they find it I will change my stance. Also nobody forces people to enter consensual relationships. That is a choice whether you are straight or gay or asexual.
Exactly. And the sheeple go along with it in fake repulsion. As if every poster on here doesn’t say worse things on an hourly basis. Pillar should have called Motte a dirty white trash hillbilly. Then he would have been applauded.
There’s not much “repulsion.” Seems like the people who think it was not acceptable generally believe he ought to have apologized and received a relatively minor punishment. As a first-time offender, he’ll get a second chance, which seems right.
The debate only gets rolling when the inevitable push-back comes from people who are aghast that a public person in an entertainment job would be punished for making a public statement that is deeply offensive to many people.
Can’t say I follow your white man insult equivalency argument. One key reason it doesn’t work is that there’s no term that encapsulates and drives home the historical maltreatment of white men as a group — because, well, that didn’t happen.
Also, I don’t think he would’ve been applauded, do you? (I’d agree he wouldn’t have been suspended, though.) Interestingly, the terms you used in your comment are pretty good examples of things that people say now without issue but which may (should?) one day be seen as entirely inappropriate means of referring to a person. I don’t think it’s okay to dump on this race/class segment of the population with an offensive term, either.
So it’s OK to be racist towards White people or to deny White people rights? But since hundreds of years ago some White people enslaved some Black people, Black people should always be privileged? You know, every single race at one point or another enslaved people of another race. Did you know that Asians and Arabs enslaved Europeans and sold them for slave labor? Did your history teacher teach you about Arab invasions of Europe? Mongol invasions of Russia? How about that Africans still enslave each other to this day or that African tribes sold other Africans to Europeans for slavery?
You’re following a “White guilt” history where Whites are oppressors and all others are innocent victims, This is the type of history that ignores “inconvenient” facts and justifies the fact that only White majority countries have laws where non-Whites are preferred for employment (affirmative action), open borders and diversity (majority replacement) are promoted… In Japan for example there are no open borders or diversity, the same applies for all other non-White majority countries.
When my parents were thinking about where to go to college, a black guy in this country could get shot and the hospital might turn him away. Let’s wait a couple generations before we start calling hundreds of years of oppression ancient history. There’s no reason to feel guilty about inequality if you can be honest about it.
I’m not sure where this mentality comes from that a grown adult should be able to say anything at all without consequences. Part of being an adult is realizing that your actions and words have consequences. If they don’t, nobody is listening to you.
I guess I’m looking at our current society and its relevant history, not cherry picking from the distant past. Remind me where I said that it’s okay to be racist toward white people or deny them rights?
The fact that you were ready to deliver this tangential spiel is a good indication that you are the one trying to make things fit into some results-oriented, racially driven historical theory. I only even mentioned race because the previous commenter tried to draw an analogy to using slurs against sub-groups of white people. (Which, you’ll note, I said could also be legitimately classed as inappropriate.)
I don’t suffer from white guilt, but I also don’t engage in racial preferences and am not naive to the advantages and disadvantages (and simply the differences) that can arise in relation to skin color in this society or others.
What rights have white people been denied? Just curious.
The TRUTH: you have to be the DUMBEST person on this thread. I feel sooo bad for all of the white, oppressed people that have had it so bad in the country. It’s a shame
Why is Jeff Todd arguing in the comments section? Grossly irresponsible.
Irresponsible in regard to what standard?
Oh boy. There’s so much wrong here I don’t even know where to begin. Slavery is about power, not race. We’ll start there and move on. Or not.
People are arguing that white peoples are oppressed. The dude helps run this site. He has every right to comment in the face of such stupidity.
My thoughts exactly, writers never comment unless they are addressing an error or someone asks a question. No idea why he would stoop down to our level.
You help run the website and moderate. Never can I recall a writer defending or opposing a position in the news through the comment section. You could write why the suspension is warranted or not but that’s the end of it as a writer. You clearly support this (doesn’t matter if you do or don’t) but reporting the news is just that, reporting. Leave the commenting to us and just moderate to keep it civil. Thanks!
I’m plenty familiar with ethical lines as a lawyer, but this is a website about sports and I don’t really consider myself a reporter, generally speaking. Anyhow, I will consider this position. Thank you for stating it politely. You aren’t wrong to suggest there are reasons that advise against my weighing in.
Honestly, I was not looking specifically to defend the suspension — I can see arguments for or against that approach — so much as to offer some perspective and keep the debate (or what I thought was going to be the debate) within bounds. Guess I expected it’d be a discussion of whether he should have been punished and to what extent, not whether it’s acceptable to employ that language or whether private businesses have the right to punish its use.
I didn’t mean any offense Jeff, more just what JP8 said. You moderate and run the site (which you do very well), and I really don’t think you should be involved in any arguments, especially non-baseball ones.
Don’t be ignorant. A small portion of our communities are also physically or mentally disabled, this does not mean you can use slurs that reference that.
Population numbers are irrelevant. Either you are considerate of others or you’re not. There’s no rationalizing it. Take a note from Pillar.
Sexual orientation isn’t a choice.
We all know this is a PR move and even more importantly, a way to protect Pillar from getting hit tonight against the Braves. We all know who the targets will be!
Duh. Of course it’s a PR move…
I mean really… I’ve physically seen broadcasted on live television during these games FAR more profane things, but because its “homophobic” now it matters. Like really? Half the time its part of the game, name calling and getting all riled up. I’m not saying thats a good thing, but like I said its just part of the game. This is getting way out of hand, and it doesn’t help having that loser Manfred in charge of everything when he is literally the most sensitive person on all these subjects.
A little two-game suspension once in a blue moon shows that something is “getting way out of hand”? Strange concept.
Cursing may be part of the game, but slinging insults of this kind surely is not. Even if it were, teams and the league would have obvious reason not to allow it to happen without punishment. What business would allow an employee to say things that are deeply insulting to many of its paying customers?
Sensitive..AS IS SOCIETY!
Pillar made a mistake. He apologized and was suspended. Let’s forgive him and move on. Let’s talk about how the Jays suck against good teams and can sweep bad ones. That tells me that they are a middle of the pack team and the Jays need to rebuild now. Let’s gear up for a great trading deadline. The Jays aren’t winning anything this year with the holes in their pitching staff. Let’s start the rebuilding process by trading away anyone that will allow the acquisition of stud pitching.
Everyone is too sensitive. Who cares if he called him that. He wasn’t calling him it because he thought he was gay. It’s just something people say
So … it would only be offensive if he was accusing Motte of being a homosexual? Come on, now.
Look, things that are said in some circles or in some times occasionally become recognized as unacceptable. If this one doesn’t strike you as such an example … use your imagination for some words that are now deemed wildly inappropriate. That’s how this term jolts many people (including, especially, those who are demeaned by it).
Honestly, I grew up hearing and using it with friends — it’s just what people said; I didn’t mean anything by it — but eventually came to recognize the harm and deeply regret it.
I guess my point was too good to be kept on even though I refrained from swearing and made a VALID POINT, WELL DONE Jeff Todd
You used multiple words that are not allowed on this forum. I didn’t do anything; it was caught in moderation.
Anyway, it wasn’t a good point. I’d be happy to explain why offline.
That word “inclusive” is so liberal-based nowadays.
A good way to tell if you’re being offensive: substitute the racial / sexual group with another. Example: I don’t mind xxxx people, so long as they aren’t xxxx around me. If it sounds bad… don’t say it!!
Disappointing by pillar but hopefully he has learned his lesson and this is the last we hear of anything like this
I guess I’ve never had any problem reconciling the reality that I think our snowflake society gets worked up about everything with the reality that you don’t get to say whatever pops into your head at work.
I don’t know why anyone would be surprised that you might get in trouble at work for talking the way you do when you’re playing cards with your buddies on a Saturday night.
Thanks for being the voice of reason, Jeff.
I am not a fan of the suspension. Guys in the heat of an argument call each other all kinds of things and it doesn’t mean it was meant with malice or hate. I want to and try hard to respect other people no matter how different from me but we really need to stop being the word police. Would so many people be offended if both men were gay? Because I see gay guys call each other such names regularly and don’t tell me that can be compared to a blacks calling each other derogatory names cuz not even close to same.
I feel like I am in the minority when i say i disagree with most suspensions. I commend Pillar for the way he has handled himself, but peraonally i disagree with the suspension. Most suspensions are nothing more than team and league PR moves.
It has gotten to the point to where they have lost disciplinary value. Certain off field cases deserve suspension, intentionally trying to physically harm a fellow player. Suspension should only be a means of punishment if it is a lengthy amount of the season. Ortherwise fine them the amount they would lose financially for the short period on top of the usual fine that accompanies said suspension.
Everyone needs to watch the South Park episode about this very topic.
I don’t think anybody should watch south park for social reasons like this, as good as the show is
I imagine some of these folks on this thread probably encourage their kids to yell homophobic slurs at other kids.
Easy solution – MLB needs to designate the mound as a “safe space”.
That’s a joke, people.
Personally, I think Pillar’s apology and a written statement from the team would have been enough. As a society we get way too worked up over what should be little things that in the past most would let roll of their back. There are so many big issues we should be focusing on but we don’t because social media and the 24 hour news cycle let’s every little issue gain momentum and become a big issue.
When I was a kid we used to say, “I’m rubber, you’re glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.” We could use a bit more of that today. What Pillar said was not appropriate, but in the grand scheme of things there are more important issues to contend with.
I tend to agree with you that issues like this are small in the grand scheme of things, but then again a two game suspension is also pretty small in the grand scheme of things.
The most telling thing for me is that I’ve seen very few people suggest that Pillar’s suspension was too short, or that his apology wasn’t good enough, or that he doesn’t deserve a second chance. On the other hand, lots of people are up in arms over the suspension being overkill, social justice warriors killing free speech, racism against white people (see one of the earlier comments).
Which group is overreacting?
Good points. He screwed up, potentially embarrassed his employer, and handled the aftermath well. That ought to be enough for everyone. Not everything needs psychodrama.
Amen.
Name calling has always been a part of the game. No biggie.
There are some serious knuckle-heads here. Racism against whites? Please…be real.
Man, I really do not get the band of people saying “Pfft, how could he be suspended for this? He only said a homophobic slur! Crawl back to that safe space!”
It’s not that, that they are only saving face or pulling a PR cover up, it’s because Pillar said a homophobic slur. You can’t do that. If I call one of my coworkers that at my job I’d be in so much hot water with HR I couldn’t even imagine.
It’s not that “everyone uses it in baseball these days!” No, they don’t. Sure, once and a blue moon someone calls someone a f**, but it isn’t the “go to slur” that everyone is insinuating it is. A more blue collar swear is more likely. Hell, I’ve cussed out a few players in college, but I would never dare drop my hand into the cookie jar of homophobic slurs. It’s just as bad as dropping an N-Bomb out of the blu. It’s a derogatory slur with zero positive implications.
3% of the population is still a portion off the population. No matter how small, they should feel a sort of inclusion. Right? Am I getting that wrong? Should we not strive to have some sort of common understanding to put homophobic slurs behind us? We’re human beings degrading other human beings based on their lifestyle. Their lifestyle.
I guess it’s a tad hypocritical to say “get off your soapbox” (because I’m on one right now.” But it’s just the same as dropping any other sort of derogatory slur. They all carry weight. They all are offensive. It’s not about “safe spaces” and “commonality” it’s about what’s right for all, no matter how one might interpret it.
What’s missing from all the above comments is the fact that the Umpire blew the call.
(b) come to a complete stop. This must be enforced. Umpires should watch this closely. Pitchers are constantly attempting to “beat the rule” in their efforts to hold runners on bases and in cases where the pitcher fails to make a complete “stop” called for in the rules, the umpire should immediately call a “Balk.”
Umpire calls it and Pillar probably reaches for a different slur.
I guess all the guys I golf with need a new slur when we miss a 2′ putt.
Or maybe you need new people to golf with.
To me, its like calling a skunk a polecat… “sticks n stones…”
Why does everyone keep thinking this was an insult?? What if Pillar was complimenting Motte, calling him a mighty bundle of sticks!
Well I think it is fantastic and actually uplifting that the sports world is looking out more and more for LGBT people. I think that inclusion in sport is phenomenal for the community and most sports are beginning to show support.
I think what people are forgetting is that at the end of the day, a slur is still a slur. I’m torn because on one hand I get the “Heat of the Battle” argument and what Pillar said was likely because of that. On the other hand, words like that do not need to be flung around either. I get people think that we’re moving towards being too PC, but when more and more people who identify as LGBT are included in sport, there has to be a line somewhere on slurs and words. Regardless of what some of you think the population of LGBT people is, there are still more and more LGBT people involved in sport.
As for Pillar, I hope we do NOT condemn him though. Rajon Rondo, one of my favorite basketball players of all-time, used a slur in game to a referee who actually later came out as gay. Rondo gave an apology and regretted his use of a slur. Andrew Shaw in the NHL used a slur towards a player. He got suspended, he apologized, and now is actually an ambassador for the NHL’s “You can play” movement. If Pillar is truly sorry for what he said, then there is no reason to condemn him for his words. I believe Pillar when he says he is sorry for what he said.
People always bring up “free speech” or the 1st amendment with stuff like this. Free speech, of course, isn’t absolute – yell “fire” in a crowded movie theater, for example. Or, if you are a psychiatrist, gossip at a party about your patients. Or if you’re a doctor, tell people at the coffee shops about the maladies of your patients. Free speech has never been absolute; it comes with consequences. If I had used the word Pillar used at my job I’d have been fired on the spot.
As a gay person, I don’t feel personality offended by Pillar since it seems clear to me that he doesn’t think gay people are lesser people. I do wish people will move beyond using this word there is a lot of history prejudice that goes along with it, and perhaps we can just move beyond it. Two day suspension seems reasonable as would it be if he used another word that has similar issues. It just to remind him and other players that they accountable for their own maturity as well as their words. I really don’t think Pillar is a bad guy and I think he will use this as a learning experience to a better person in the future. Some one the posters on here could take his example not make this a “PC” issue and just use different words. And if Kevin Pillar happens to read this, thank you for taking responsibility, it does mean a lot. .
When people use God’s name in vain it is offensive to Christians, well many of them, yet it doesn’t matter if you offend Christians.
Thoughts and prayers.
My God. So many commentators in this thread make me want to quit this site. “It’s free speech, let him say garbage because otherwise you’re suppressing the 97%!”
The human race has to learn to get along and stop discriminating all kinds of differences!!! Until then, we’re never going to make it – we don’t deserve to remain on top of the food chain.