Mark Canha shows his support after White Sox prospect comes out

New York Mets outfielder Mark Canha had a pretty awesome Sunday. He got attention for declaring his plan to hit more home runs this season. He also had this fun exchange with reporters about the team.

Canha is in a good mood. He gets to play baseball for a living. The man has an open heart and an open mind to the world.

This was most clear when later in the day he reacted to the news of Chicago White Sox prospect Anderson Comas coming out as gay.

Mets outfielder Mark Canha showing support is what we need more of

It didn’t take any clever words. Canha didn’t have to get sappy, make it about himself, or bully anyone else into believing what they will. Six hearts, all of a different color, is all it took for Canha to show Comas he respects and accepts his lifestyle.

This isn’t the first time Canha has discussed his support of the LGBTQ+ community. Last year, when several Tampa Bay Rays players had an issue wearing Pride hats, he talked about how the Oakland Athletics had similar events and how wonderful they were for the community and the players.

Topics like this aren’t easy to connect with everyone. A Major League Baseball locker room could contain 26 players from 26 different parts of the world with ages ranging from 20-40. If you’ve done any world traveling, you’ll know people feel differently about these things.

For the “why is this news?” trolls, it’s news in the same way an engagement, birth of a child, or opinion of any kind an athlete may have. Comas made a brave choice to do something few athletes ever have because of the unfortunate and extreme reaction people often have. Acceptance is hard enough from peers. Comas is putting himself out there for more than just his inner circle to know about his life.

Support from a veteran player on the Mets will help him and others in his situation. One of your favorite Mets has undoubtedly lived a lifestyle you didn’t agree with. The “keep it to yourself” audience is part of the problem. No one should ever have to hide their identity whether they play a professional sport or not.

We can only hope open support from players like Canha help other young people understand it’s okay to be who they are and there are allies out there.