A 28-year-old MMA star is "in his biggest fight yet" after suffering a cardiac arrest while training for an upcoming bout.
Chris "Sunshine" Lencioni's wife, Marca, posted about the incident on Instagram.
"On Thursday 6/8 there was an incident while Cris was training, and he experienced a cardiac arrest," she wrote.
"The athletes at the gym were great and immediately called 911 and did their best to address his needs until paramedics arrived.
"We are currently in another state. He has been under the care of excellent doctors." Most of Lencioni's family has been by his side, she added.
"We are all hopeful for the progress we know he will continue to make."
View this post on Instagram
ESPN reported that Lencioni, a featherweight fighter with an 11-3 record and a four-fight winning streak, had been scheduled for an Aug. 11 fight in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Sunshine got his nickname because he’s always in a bright and cheerful mood. This is a young man who prepared his whole life for a fight and it appears he just found one.
Please consider helping the family in this time of need. It will be considered a personal favor.… pic.twitter.com/lJhk9GOfat— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) June 19, 2023
A GoFundMe appeal organized by Lencioni's family said the incident "was completely unexpected considering he is only 28 and in peak physical condition."
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"We believe in the goodness of God, and we don’t know anyone with more will, strength, and determination than Cris," the appeal continued.
"Cris has already overcome so much in his life, and we have faith in his ability to overcome any obstacle."
The fighter's "Sunshine" nickname comes from his personality, the family explained.
"He is quite a character, quick to tease and make jokes, has the most infectious laugh, and is always so full of light and life."
He has also spent a lot of time working with children. "His gym and kids' program is his passion project," the family reported.
The appeal had brought in nearly $18,000 toward a goal of $250,000 by Tuesday evening.
Marca Lencioni welcomed all forms of support, including thoughts, prayers and cards, which she said would be shared with her husband.
"We are currently in uncharted territory and taking everything day by day," she said.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
One crew’s massive haul in a marlin fishing tournament ended up being the prize that got away.
On Saturday, the crew of Sensation, entered in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, North Carolina, thought that it had won the tournament and raked in some bonus money when they brought in a 619.4-pound marlin.
Then the judges inspected the catch, and the thrill of victory began to seep away.
“OK, guys. Let’s talk about the rules here for a second. It would appear that this fish has been bitten by a shark,” emcee Tommy Bennett said after the fish was inspected, according to The Washington Post.
The next day, the ruling came down.
“The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament follows [International Game Fish Association] rules regarding mutilated fish as outlined in Rule #23 in the Big Rock Official Rules. IGFA rules state that the following situation will disqualify a fish: ‘Mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh,'” the ruling said.
“After careful deliberation and discussions between the Big Rock Rules Committee and Board of Directors with biologists from both NC State CMAST and NC Marine Fisheries biologists as well as an IGFA official, it was determined that Sensation’s 619.4lb Blue Marlin is disqualified due to mutilation caused by a shark or other marine animal. It was deemed that the fish was mutilated before it was landed or boated, and therefore, it was disqualified."
As the Post noted, this was not about bragging rights. The decision cost the crew $3.5 million, with $2.77 million for winning the tournament and $739,500 for bringing in the first catch of the year to top 500 pounds.
Jeremy Duffie, a Maryland-based game fisher, said the rule targets crews that hit a fish with a boat, making it easier to catch the fish. Fish that are wounded are also easier to catch.
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Greg McCoy, captain of the crew that caught the monster fish, said it was no picnic. "[W]e fought with him for six hours. It’s a tough pill to swallow,” he said.
The tournament was won by the crew of the boat Sushi, whose marlin weighed 484.5 pounds.
“We don’t get a plaque on the Big Rock fountain. We don’t get the dough. A year from now we will be totally forgotten. No one will care,” McCoy said after the tournament, according to Carolina Cost Online.
“I was hoping they would do the right thing and declare us the winners but no such luck. It's a lot of money," he said.
McCoy said boat owner Ashley Bleau is protesting the ruling and could consider legal action as well.
McCoy said the crew went on an emotional roller-coaster.
“You catch a fish like that on the last day in the last hour and go well into overtime, it was something else. Then they started pulling those shenanigans, and I thought we were going to have a riot on our hands for a while,” he said.
He said the catch was followed by “[a] lot of hooting and hollering and embracing. We knew we had just won the Big Rock. Not too many guys have done it. Then we pointed her to the beach, and the Big Rock crowd was talking to us on the radio about when we would be in. We had a lot of good fun on the way in. It’s just unfortunate it didn’t work out."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
First came "pride," then a very large dose of humility for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On Saturday, the arch-rival San Francisco Giants clobbered the Dodgers 15-0 at Dodger Stadium.
The game came one day after a massive religious protest that was sparked by the Dodgers honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -- an LGBT group that dresses like nuns while mocking Christian values -- at its annual “Pride Night” event, according to KTLA-TV.
“We’re just here, all the faiths are standing united,” protester Jesse Holguin said. “We’re very angry that the Dodgers invited this group that mocked our lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
A day later, the Giants made a mockery of the Dodgers, matching the 1898 record for the team's worst home game shutout loss. At that time, the Dodgers, still based in Brooklyn, New York, were beaten 15-0 by Pittsburgh, according to ESPN.
For the Giants, it was also their biggest margin over the Dodgers since a 19-3 drubbing delivered on Sept. 14, 2013.
COINCIDENCE?? Following a deeply despicable & offensive #Pride Day celebration "honoring" the infamously evil group that sexually mocks the Crucifixion, the LA @Dodgers suffered their SINGLE WORST home loss in 125 years!!! They lost to the @SFGiants 15-0. https://t.co/bIc1BzUPt1
— Eric Metaxas (@ericmetaxas) June 18, 2023
The loss also earned a niche in the annals of Dodger futility by becoming its second shutout of the year while the opposing team scored 10 or more runs, something that had not happened since 2012. The series between the teams was the first time San Francisco had won in an LA series since 2021.
The series ended Sunday with a 7-3 win for the Giants, the first time they swept the Dodgers at home since 2012, according to the Los Angeles Times
“When you’re not winning games, things get magnified,” manager Dave Roberts said.
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“I think if you look back at this two-week stretch, there’s a lot of things we’re just not doing well. We’re not playing clean baseball, fundamental baseball. It goes back to, not just trying to win, but focusing on the little things.”
The Times report noted that the Dodgers have been mired in what it called “a month-long funk” in which the team has lost 18 of its past 30 games.
The streak roughly parallels the cauldron of controversy that now immerses the team.
In May, it extended the invitation to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, only to rescind it after an outcry. The team, facing an even louder reaction from the LGBT-supporting left, reinstated the invitation, leading to a controversy that built until Friday night’s mass protest.
The debate over the invitation also caused some players to speak out.
“I don’t agree with making fun of other people’s religions,” star pitcher Clayton Kershaw told the Los Angeles Times.
“It has nothing to do with anything other than that. I just don’t think that, no matter what religion you are, you should make fun of somebody else’s religion. So that’s something that I definitely don’t agree with.”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
Tragedy has struck the sports world with the shocking death of a genuine football legend's first son.
Ray Lewis III, whose father is iconic Baltimore Ravens and Miami Hurricanes linebacker Ray Lewis, died at the age of 28, TMZ reported Thursday.
The report said the younger Lewis' brother Rahsaan announced the news in Instagram Stories, which self-delete after 24 hours.
Per TMZ, he wrote: "Really can't believe I'm even typing this but RIP big brother. A true angel I pray [you're] at peace now because [I know] how much you [were really] hurtin.
"I don't and won't ever have the words man cuz this pain right here....I love you I love you I love you."
Rahsaan Lewis then appeared to refer to his own daughter while processing his grief.
"Your niece gone miss you but she will hear about u over and over just watch over us all big bruh be our guardian I promise I’ll make you smile and proud," he added.
While not bearing quite the same name recognition as his father, Ray Lewis III carved out a small football career that had a clear impact on those around him.
Lewis signed with the aforementioned University of Miami out of high school but didn't play as a freshman.
In 2015, he then transferred to Coastal Carolina, and two years later he moved on to Division II Virginia Union.
Virginia Union associate head football coach Diego Ryland told TMZ that he was a "great young man and a better teammate."
"The entire Virginia Union University community is praying for the family as they deal with the loss of Ray," Ryland said.
Condolences and prayers poured in across social media as outlets reported on the young man's untimely death.
Ray Lewis III, son of Ray Lewis, dead at 28 https://t.co/azBDa1ZQxn pic.twitter.com/r1LxGuVixp
— New York Post (@nypost) June 16, 2023
Former Ravens quarterback and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin (currently an analyst for ESPN) was one of the first big names to take to social media to pray for Lewis and his family.
Send a prayer up for Ray Lewis and his family after the passing of his son. Ray Lewis III was only 28 years old. pic.twitter.com/nW6MDntzMZ
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 16, 2023
Miami head football coach Mario Cristobal also offered his support to the family.
"Our Condolences to the Lewis Family. The Entire Hurricane Family’s Thoughts & Prayers are with them," he said on Twitter.
Our Condolences to the Lewis Family. The Entire Hurricane Family’s Thoughts & Prayers are with them.
— Mario Cristobal (@coach_cristobal) June 16, 2023
The senior Lewis came to prominence in the sports world when he burst onto the college football scene in Coral Gables, Florida, in 1994.
Known as much for his fiery passion as much as his bone-crunching hits, Lewis carved out a remarkable career for himself in college, and it only continued when he won a pair of Super Bowls with the defense-oriented Ravens.
Lewis honored his son and other children when he went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
TMZ reported Ray Lewis III was pursuing a music career before his death.
A cause of death had not been provided as of early Friday afternoon.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
In what is being labeled a “reverse boycott” by the media, Oakland A’s fans, who have been staying away in droves amid a woeful season, turned out in force Tuesday night to make a point.
But even a full house and rare win seemed pointless because as the fans were calling for an investment in the team to restore its luster, Nevada legislators were putting the final touches on a bill that could fund a Las Vegas stadium the team could eventually call home, according to Fox News.
According to CBS, the bill to give $380 million in public money to build the stadium is expected to win final legislative approval and be signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo.
The proposed 30,000-seat ballpark, which A’s owner John Fisher appears to be salivating to move into, would be built at the site of the Hotel Tropicana, which would be demolished.
As the team’s departure from Oakland appeared to be taking shape, Oakland fans turned out en masse to show what is possible if they get a team worth watching.
Last night's "reverse boycott" at the Oakland Coliseum was surreal. pic.twitter.com/5reSr0uvSg
— Locked On Podcast Network (@LockedOnNetwork) June 14, 2023
A crowd of 27,759 trooped to the Oakland Coliseum, many sporting shirts that read “SELL” and chanting "Sell the Team" during the game as their way of hoping Fisher sells the team so that it can remain in the Bay Area.
As Fox News noted, the A’s are last in attendance with an average of 8,555 fans per game.
As if showing what fans can do, Oakland defeated Tampa Bay 2-1, a bright spot for a team that had the worst record in the American League last year and was holding onto that spot going into Tuesday night’s game with an 18-50 record.
Following a “reverse boycott” the Oakland As win their 7th consecutive game in front of 27,000+
— Liv’s Sports Talk (@LivsSportsTalk) June 14, 2023
Manager Mark Kotsay said the crowd, and the win, were both great,
“Tonight was as close to a playoff crowd as I’ve experienced managing. The energy and atmosphere was everything that this stadium can be. For that to happen and for us to play a good game all around in front of that crowplayoff crowd as I’ve experiencedd, I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
Mark Kotsay on Coliseum vibes: “Tonight was as close to a playoff crowd as I’ve experienced managing. The energy and atmosphere was everything that this stadium can be. For that to happen and for us to play a good game all around in front of that crowd, I couldn’t be happier.”
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) June 14, 2023
However, despite the win, fans showed their displeasure by littering the field with garbage.
Stu Clary, who helped organize the event, said it was worth a shot, according to SFGate.
“The alternative is waiting around and doing nothing, sitting on our hands and watching while not making a statement,” Clary said. “So, what the hell? Why not have some fun? Why not make it feel like the old days for at least one night?”
A’s fan Luis Deltoro held out little hope that one night could change the future.
“I don’t know if there’s a happy ending, man,” Deltoro said. “A happy ending is the A’s staying, and the chances are very, very slim, so it’s hard to think of that.”
But Anson Casanares said there is always hope.
“Ain’t nothing done till the shovel’s in the ground,” he said. “What gives me hope, what gives me happiness, is that, if you look around, it’s not even five o’clock and there’s so many people here on a Tuesday. There’s always a stigma about Oakland sports, Oakland fans, especially A’s fans, that they don’t care. Look at this man, we do care. All you’ve got to do is invest in the team.”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
A longtime ESPN director and a former college baseball player died unexpectedly over the weekend while covering an NCAA tournament.
The network announced on Sunday that Kyle Brown died on Saturday at age 42 during its coverage of the NCAA baseball super regional in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Brown suffered what ESPN called a “medical emergency” but no other information was made available.
His death was first announced on Twitter by golf commentator and podcaster Gary Williams.
“Kyle Brown died suddenly today,” Williams posted on Saturday. “He was a lead producer for Morning Drive @GolfChannel.”
Williams described Brown’s death as “simply unimaginable.”
Kyle Brown died suddenly today. He was a lead producer for Morning Drive @GolfChannel and his loss is simply unimaginable. All of us who were fortunate to have him in our lives ask for prayers for the comfort and care of his wife and children. Our time is too precious for words.
— Gary Williams (@Garywilliams1Up) June 10, 2023
“All of us who were fortunate to have him in our lives ask for prayers for the comfort and care of his wife and children. Our time is too precious for words,” Williams said.
ESPN remembered Brown on the air Sunday and said in a statement he would be “greatly missed."
NCAA Baseball coverage across ESPN, ESPN2 & ESPNU began at noon today with this tribute to Kyle Brown from @KrisBudden pic.twitter.com/l4B7uuXcJT
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) June 11, 2023
A number of the network anchors and reporters posted tributes to the late producer:
Prayers with Kyle’s family. https://t.co/hZalKqc8iC
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) June 11, 2023
Praying for the Brown family. https://t.co/njEpj5zKdv
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) June 12, 2023
We are all shocked and distraught by the loss of Kyle Brown. Wonderful coworker. just devastating. https://t.co/8xbjiGLngD
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) June 11, 2023
We’d lost touch in recent years, but Browny and I started at ESPN right around the same time and hung out a ton socially in our early days here.
A Buckeye through and through and just a great guy. Such a terrible loss. https://t.co/C7Ay2WfhP7
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) June 11, 2023
We lost a gem of a person and a friend yesterday. Please hug your loved ones tight today. Will miss you immensely KB. https://t.co/8w6aght64g
— Kris Budden (@KrisBudden) June 11, 2023
This is brutal news…beyond being a very talented person, much more importantly Kyle was simply as nice a guy as you’d ever want to meet…a genuinely good person. We spent a lot of time together. Please say a prayer for his family https://t.co/2GAaN6sd77
— Bob Wischusen (@espnbob) June 11, 2023
The network also issued a statement about Brown's death on its website.
"A 16-year ESPN employee, Kyle was a deeply admired member of our production team -- and highly accomplished, having captured two Sports Emmy Awards while working a multitude of sports from baseball and basketball to ‘Monday Night Football’ and college football," the network said in a statement.
Brown first began working with ESPN during his college career at Ohio State University, where he was a pitcher on the baseball team.
In 2003, Brown shared details of an encounter he had with sportscaster Dick Vitale during his time as a student-athlete.
“When Dick Vitale came into town, I was pretty much his chauffeur for the day,” he told the school’s website. “You listen to him on TV and think 'This guy [must] drink Red Bull by the gallon,’ but off the air he is one of the most laid back, nicest guys in the world.”
The right-hander hedged his college experience with ESPN into a lengthy career.
Brown was a native of Washington Court House, Ohio.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, he is survived by his wife Megan and his four children, Makayla, Carson, Camden and Madyn.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
First, the boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III ended.
Then the fight began.
The contest Sunday night was billed as an exhibition, and the 46-year-old Mayweather was fully in control throughout the bout at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
The New York Post noted that the Hall of Fame boxer flashed a smile before whacking Gotti with a jab in the fourth round.
And, yes, for those recalling the name, Gotti is the grandson of New York mob boss John Gotti.
Referee Kenny Bayless tried to keep the two separated and get the trash-talking stopped, according to WTVJ-TV in Miami.
By the sixth round, he had had enough. Bayless ended the contest, saying Gotti was disqualified for holding.
As the fight was called, Gotti appeared to say “F*** you” to Mayweather.
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Then the punches began to fly in earnest.
Gotti stalked Mayweather with wild swings as the entourages of both fighters entered the ring to throw punches at anyone who seemed interested in swinging back.
WARNING: The following videos contain violence and language that some viewers may find offensive.
Altercation breaks out during Floyd Mayweather vs John Gotti III exhibition match pic.twitter.com/ZiVXD7C2mN
— Crown Nation Sports (@cnation_sports) June 12, 2023
COMPLETE CHAOS at the Floyd Mayweather vs John Gotti III fight 😳 pic.twitter.com/FML12NOO5e
— Overtime (@overtime) June 12, 2023
Along the way, when Bayless was standing back watching the mayhem, a fan entered the ring and shoved him.
As the ring devolved into chaos, so did the area, with fights breaking out.
Folks are saying the best fights happened after the Mayweather-Gotti exhibition match 😲
(via KennysellsMiami/IG)#MayweatherGotti pic.twitter.com/lgl7cQEW1m
— Crown Nation Sports (@cnation_sports) June 12, 2023
Social media allowed the trash-talking to continue long after the event was over, according to the post.
“Enemy for life. Never put me down or stopped me. It was DQ for no reason,” Gotti posted on his Instagram account.
Mayweather vs Gotti III fight was stopped by Referee Kenny Bayless in round no 6, reason of the stoppage both fighters did not stop trash talking to each other.
I hope the Ref still knows it's an exhibition fight and no judges, it was a lame excuse stopping the fight for trash… pic.twitter.com/aeEjUN2R3M— Alexander Shah (@xAlexanderShahx) June 12, 2023
As reported by Sports Illustrated, Gotti’s sister, Nicolette Gotti, posted a message to Mayweather on Instagram, the politest part of which read, "I swear on my kids I’m coming for your daughter it may be 2 years 3 years from now but I’m coming …”
Mayweather officially retired from boxing with a 50-0 record. Since then, he has held several exhibition fights, winning them all.
Gotti was 5-1 as an MMA fighter and entered the match 2-0 as a boxer.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
BMX rider and X Games medalist Pat Casey was killed in a motorcycle stunt at a private track in Ramona, California, on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old was trying a jump around 2:30 p.m. at Slayground Motocross Park, which is owned by motorcross star Axell Hodges, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Casey missed the landing and lost control of his bike.
He did not have a pulse when paramedics arrived, and they were unable to resuscitate him.
Friends and sponsors of Casey took to social media to mourn the young champion's death.
"We are deeply saddened by Pat Casey’s passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, children, parents and siblings," X Games said on Instagram. "A true legend in the action sports community, Pat will always be a member of the X Games family and an inspiration to everyone’s life he touched."
T.J. Lavin, a fellow BMX rider and the host of MTV's competition series "The Challenge," also made a statement on Instagram.
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"The world lost one of the baddest to ever do it. I’m so sorry for his wife and kids. @patcaseybmx will forever be remembered for the down to earth sweetheart of a guy that he was," Lavin wrote.
Others posted tribute videos of the rider on social media.
The Action Sports world lost Pat Casey. One of the biggest riders of his generation.
Over the years, we had the privilege of having Casey join us at FISE Montpellier and our events around the world. pic.twitter.com/HZZZpmwNLM
— FISE (@fiseworld) June 8, 2023
Pat Caseyの訃報に接し、深い悲しみに包まれています。彼は千葉大会でも素晴らしいパフォーマンスを披露してくれました。アクションスポーツのレジェンドとして、パットはこれからもX Gamesのファミリーのひとりであり、彼と出会った人々の人生のインスピレーションであり続けるでしょう。#ありがとう pic.twitter.com/EEE1VA6ypU
— X Games Japan (@XGamesJPN) June 8, 2023
According to Vans, a sponsor for Casey, he went pro when he was just 16 years old.
He bought his first house at 18, where he built the "Dreamyard," a famous BMX training ground.
Casey was a medalist at the 2012 and 2013 X Games and won his first gold medal in 2021, according to the Union-Tribune.
His premature death left behind his wife, Chase, and two children.
"I'd like the world to know that he was a man of God, that he loved his family, that he spoke his mind, that he was just everything that embodies -- 'Mr. Perfect' is what I called him," Chase Casey told KTLA.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
A federal appeals court is taking a second look at a lawsuit filed by female athletes in Connecticut who are protesting the state’s rules that required them to compete against boys who claimed to be girls.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case on Tuesday, focusing on whether the former high school athletes have the right to sue, according to ABC News.
The suit was originally filed in 2020 and dismissed by a federal district court, Connecticut Insider reported. A three-judge panel of the appellate court upheld that ruling in December.
However, in February, the full court agreed to rehear the appeal, according to The Associated Press.
“Every woman deserves the respect and dignity that comes with having an equal opportunity to excel and win in athletics, and ADF remains committed to protecting the future of women’s sports,” Christiana Kiefer, a lawyer with Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing the athletes, said then.
The athletes suing are hoping for a different outcome this time around.
"I'm hoping that the court will realize how important this issue is, and they will restore fairness to women’s sports," plaintiff Alanna Smith said, according to Fox News.
"I’m also very optimistic that fairness will be restored to women’s sports, and I hope that we can keep women’s sports women’s sports," she added.
[firefly_poll] The athletes -- Smith, Selina Soule, Chelsea Mitchell and Ashley Nicoletti -- say they were harmed by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference's policy, according to ABC.
“They trained hard to shave fractions of seconds off their race times so they could compete in state and regional meets, stand atop the winners’ podium, and perhaps even secure college athletic scholarships and gainful employment beyond,” court papers said.
“Yet those dreams were dashed, as the policy forced them to compete -- and lose -- to biological males."
Mitchell says she lost out on four state championships because she had to compete against two males, according to Courthouse News Service.
But the state frames them as sore losers.
“Nothing about track results would affect the plaintiffs’ life prospects,” said Peter Murphy, the CIAC's attorney. “The plaintiffs are alleging they ran a race and lost, and they don’t like the rules."
John Bursch of ADF argued in court on Tuesday for the case to be sent to a trial court, according to CNS.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
The Toronto Blue Jays have cut pitcher Anthony Bass a week after he shared a video that encouraged Christians to boycott companies such as Target and Bud Light over their LGBT advocacy.
Bass, 35, initially apologized for sharing the video on May 31. He shared a clip from a person named Ryan Miller, who is behind an Instagram account “dudewithgoodnews.”
The video quoted Bible verses and called the LGBT ideology “evil” and “demonic.”
Bass quickly expressed remorse following a backlash, but his critics did not feel his apology was genuine. He was booed a day after sharing the video by the home crowd in Toronto:
Anthony Bass comes into the game, greeted by a couple of separate choruses of boos. #Bluejays pic.twitter.com/NM3IpEA91i
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) June 1, 2023
While he initially said he was sorry, the right-hander said Thursday the video did in fact reflect his beliefs and he did not view what he shared as hateful.
Bass said he had come to view the LGBT dustup as a “distraction” and that he would refrain from sharing his personal views online in the future.
“The video itself, obviously, I took it down,” he said, The Athletic reported. “But I stand by my personal beliefs and everyone’s entitled to their personal beliefs, right?”
Bass added, “But also I mean no harm toward any groups of people.
“As a team, our job is to win baseball games. And that’s my focus,” he also said.
The pitcher was scheduled to catch a “healing” ceremonial first pitch from an LGBT activist before Friday’s home game against the Minnesota Twins and during its “Pride Weekend,” Fox News reported.
Instead, the pitcher was told just hours before the start of the game that he was out of a job.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said the controversy played only a minor role in the decision to cut Bass.
"Performance was a large aspect of the decision," Atkins said, according to ESPN. "Distraction was a small part of it and something we had to factor in."
The Blue Jays have a week to either trade Bass or place him on waivers. The team announced on Twitter that it has activated pitcher Mitch White in the place of Bass.
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 team also shared a "pride" rainbow-themed graphic that featured White and the rest of Friday's lineup.
Celebrating #Pride Weekend at the ballpark! #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/Xzn4IgdzJp
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 9, 2023
The Blue Jays currently have a variation of the transgender-inclusive "pride" flag as the cover photo on the team's account.
Much of Major League Baseball is currently in a standoff against Christians over the league's full embrace of the LGBT lobby.
The Anaheim Angels hosted the anti-Christian hate group the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence on Wednesday during its celebration of the LGBT community, KABC-TV reported.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently facing a boycott from Catholics over the team's decision to honor the fringe group next week.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a San Francisco-based group of gay men who dress up in drag and mock Jesus.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
