Escobar Suspended Three Games
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Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The Toronto Blue Jays suspended shortstop Yunel Escobar for three games without pay for writing a gay slur in Spanish on his eye-black during Saturday’s game versus the Red Sox.
The Blue Jays met with Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and members of the players association before announcing the decision Tuesday.
“I’m sorry for the actions of the other day,” Escobar said through translator Robbie Guerra from the players’ union. “I’d like to ask apologizes to the fans…the Blue Jays…the Blue Jays organization. It was not something I intended to be offensive. It was something I just put on the sticker on my face.”
The money Escobar will lose due to the suspension will be given to You Can Play, which works to ensure athletes are treated the same regardless of sexual orientation, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Escobar is also required to participate in sensitivity training and in educational outreach to promote tolerance based on sexual orientation.
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