Billy Bean weighs in on Daniel Murphy’s comments

UPDATE, March 5:

In a column for MLB.com, Billy Bean weighed in on the comments that were made by Daniel Murphy on Tuesday:

When I returned to my hotel, I saw that I had many e-mails sent to me asking how I felt about the comments made by the Mets starting second baseman, Daniel Murphy, who told a reporter from NJ.com that because of his devout Christian beliefs, he “disagrees” with my lifestyle.I have tremendous admiration and respect for Daniel Murphy as a family man. Just last year, he made the decision to miss Opening Day for the birth of his son, and was criticized by some members of the New York media for this choice. Murphy deserved to be commended for putting his family first and that decision — which led to an invitation to speak at the White House — showed he’s not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.When I took this job at MLB, I knew it was going to take time for many to embrace my message of inclusion. Expecting everyone to be supportive right away is simply not realistic. If you asked anyone who has competed in high-level men’s professional sports, I believe they would agree with me. This doesn’t change the way I go about my business, or my belief in what I am doing, but it’s reality.After reading his comments, I appreciate that Daniel spoke his truth. I really do. I was visiting his team, and a reporter asked his opinion about me. He was brave to share his feelings, and it made me want to work harder and be a better example that someday might allow him to view things from my perspective, if only for just a moment.I respect him, and I want everyone to know that he was respectful of me. We have baseball in common, and for now, that might be the only thing. But it’s a start.

To read Bean’s full article, head to MLB.com.

Former big leaguer Billy Bean, who was recently named Major League Baseball’s Inclusion Ambassador, was at Mets camp on Tuesday after an invitation by Sandy Alderson.

Bean, who came out as homosexual, after his six-year career, was asked by Alderson if he wanted to play a game with the Mets but politely declined.

Instead, Bean suited up and took part in some drills with the players, which included him throwing batting practice.

About Bean’s feelings during his career and inclusion in baseball, Alderson said the following:

It’s a shame that he couldn’t survive in the game longer given what he was feeling. That’s not right. That’s not fair and that’s not something that in this day and age a player should have to face. And it’s not just about being gay, it’s about having any kind of personal issue that makes it difficult to go out and perform and enjoy the game.

Bean, who last played in the majors in 1995, said that his intent is “to reach out to people and we are there if they reach back.”

Asked what his feelings were about homosexuals in baseball, Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy said the following to Mike Vorkunov of NJ.com:

I disagree with his lifestyle. I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual. That doesn’t mean I can’t still invest in him and get to know him. I don’t think the fact that someone is a homosexual should completely shut the door on investing in them in a relational aspect. Getting to know him. That, I would say, you can still accept them but I do disagree with the lifestyle, 100 percent.Maybe, as a Christian, that we haven’t been as articulate enough in describing what our actual stance is on homosexuality. We love the people. We disagree with the lifestyle. That’s the way I would describe it for me. It’s the same way that there are aspects of my life that I’m trying to surrender to Christ in my own life. There’s a great deal of many things, like my pride. I just think that as a believer trying to articulate it in a way that says just because I disagree with the lifestyle doesn’t mean I’m just never going to speak to Billy Bean every time he walks through the door. That’s not love. That’s not love at all.

Thoughts:

Sandy Alderson should be praised for speaking out and making Bean feel welcome, and Bean should be lauded for his courage and what he’s trying to accomplish.

Daniel Murphy’s comments, however, were incredibly disappointing.

Murphy should not get credit for saying he wouldn’t “completely shut the door” on someone like Bean.

Nothing Murphy said was filled with vitriol and nothing he said sets him apart from the feelings of lots of other big leaguers.

Murphy has a right to speak his mind and a right to practice any religion he wishes. However, stating repeatedly that homosexuality is a “lifestyle choice” was incredibly ignorant and offensive. And those who are annoyed with Murphy, but who recognize his right to speak his mind, have a right of their own to criticize him.

Homosexuality is not a lifestyle choice, and that’s perhaps something Murphy should learn before he speaks about this topic again.

More from New York Mets News

When I returned to my hotel, I saw that I had many e-mails sent to me asking how I felt about the comments made by the Mets starting second baseman, Daniel Murphy, who told a reporter from NJ.com that because of his devout Christian beliefs, he “disagrees” with my lifestyle.I have tremendous admiration and respect for Daniel Murphy as a family man. Just last year, he made the decision to miss Opening Day for the birth of his son, and was criticized by some members of the New York media for this choice. Murphy deserved to be commended for putting his family first and that decision — which led to an invitation to speak at the White House — showed he’s not afraid to stand up for what he believes in.When I took this job at MLB, I knew it was going to take time for many to embrace my message of inclusion. Expecting everyone to be supportive right away is simply not realistic. If you asked anyone who has competed in high-level men’s professional sports, I believe they would agree with me. This doesn’t change the way I go about my business, or my belief in what I am doing, but it’s reality.After reading his comments, I appreciate that Daniel spoke his truth. I really do. I was visiting his team, and a reporter asked his opinion about me. He was brave to share his feelings, and it made me want to work harder and be a better example that someday might allow him to view things from my perspective, if only for just a moment.I respect him, and I want everyone to know that he was respectful of me. We have baseball in common, and for now, that might be the only thing. But it’s a start.

To read Bean’s full article, head to MLB.com.

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