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[terrisus]

AP via ESPN

Pitcher Sean Conroy is scheduled to take the mound in his first start for the Sonoma Stompers, a 22-man team that's part of the independent Pacific Association of Baseball Clubs.

The Stompers recruited the 23-year-old New York native out of college in May. General manager Theo Fightmaster says Conroy privately shared his sexual orientation with teammates and management before agreeing to come out publicly in time for the team's home-field gay pride night.

Major League Baseball historian John Thorn confirmed that Conroy is the first active professional to come out as gay.

Former pros Glenn Burke and Billy Bean came out after they retired.

When I was younger, I remember reading the autobiography of umpire Dave Pallone - Behind the Mask: My Double Life in Baseball. It's been probably 2 decades or so since I read it, but I would give it a recommendation anyway.

The reason I mention that is that, after having read that in the 1990s, it seemed likely there would be homosexual professional Baseball players in the not too distant future.
Obviously, I was quite mistaken at this.

Here's hoping for the best for Sean Conroy.


More information:

It's a little misleading- he's been playing all season- he has 4 Saves. He's been a relief pitcher, but they are trying him at Starter because of the Pride Night promotion.

 

[biggersmaller]

Probability dictates there are many gay MLB players. Hopefully, this prompts them to leave the closet and makes homosexuality inconsequential to the sport.

 

[Frozenprince]

Probability dictates there are many gay MLB players. Hopefully, this prompts them to leave the closet and makes homosexuality inconsequential to the sport.

It wont.

Mike Sam didn't do it for Football, Jason Collins didn't do it for the NBA.

It's not gonna happen any time soon.

 

[CheDominik]

Probability dictates there are many gay MLB players. Hopefully, this prompts them to leave the closet and makes homosexuality inconsequential to the sport.

As long as homphobic bigots like Torii Hunter are admired for their 'leadership qualities', I wouldn't get my hopes up....

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

For anyone interested in his looks just in case you wanted to go camp out at his training camp

 

[dream]

It wont.

Mike Sam didn't do it for Football, Jason Collins didn't do it for the NBA.

It's not gonna happen any time soon.

Well, the former is a shitty player, and the latter was...shitty, but also on the verge of retirement. I think it would be interesting if a superstar like Kevin Love came out.

 

[terrisus]

Well, the former is a shitty player, and the latter was...shitty, but also on the verge of retirement. I think it would be interesting if a superstar like Kevin Love came out.

To be fair, the independent leagues are a long way from the majors, so it'll likely be completely off the map for many people.
But, it's still good.

 

[Kusagari]

Well, the former is a shitty player, and the latter was...shitty, but also on the verge of retirement. I think it would be interesting if a superstar like Kevin Love came out.

Love is seen as too much of a joke.

I seriously think you'd need someone on the level of Durant, Rodgers, Brady, Curry to move a needle and get others to come out.

 

[Frozenprince]

Love is seen as too much of a joke.

I seriously think you'd need someone on the level of Durant, Rodgers, Brady, Curry to move a needle and get others to come out.

And even then I doubt it makes an impact because those are the super-est of superstars, of course they can come out with impunity, they could do anything with impunity.

If role players coming out and having no or minimal backlash was a viable choice right now we'd be seeing it. But it's just not.

 

[Mohonky]

I remember when Ian Roberts came out as gay in the NRL. There was some interesting comments about that one.


Oh and Ian Thorpe. "Yes, I'm gay." Which was met with 'yeh, and? Thats a surprise to like, no one'

 

[Christopher]

So he's a pitcher not a catcher...

 

[bigkrev]

It's a little misleading- he's been playing all season- he has 4 Saves. He's been a relief pitcher, but they are trying him at Starter because of the Pride Night promotion.

 

[terrisus]

It's a little misleading- he's been playing all season- he has 4 Saves. He's been a relief pitcher, but they are trying him at Starter because of the Pride Night promotion.

Oops, mea culpa.
Added to the OP.

 

[ISWThunder]

Everybody knew that Glenn Burke was gay and he was very open about the prejudice he faced and it being the cause of his trade to the A's.

He is also the inventor of the most famous sports celebration in history, the high-five.

 

[Tarsul]

Ah... Billy Bean... not Billy Beane (Brad Pitt). Ok.

 

[terrisus]

Ah... Billy Bean... not Billy Beane (Brad Pitt). Ok.

Yeah, Billy Bean, as opposed to Billy Beane.

 

[CheDominik]

Yeah, Billy Bean, as opposed to Billy Beane.

11 career walks in the minors in 315 PA? For shame Billy Beane!

 

[DOWN]

He won his first game 7-0, pitched 11 strikeouts: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...y-professional-baseball-player-in-shutout-win

 

[terrisus]

He won his first game 7-0, pitched 11 strikeouts: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...y-professional-baseball-player-in-shutout-win

Thanks for following up on that.
And, that's definitely great =)

 

[Rest]

I read the thread title as "basketball," when I came in and it said something about a mound I thought there was a tasteless joke and had to do a double take.