The Toronto Blue Jays announced today that shortstop Yunel Escobar will receive a 3 day suspension without pay and work with GLAAD and the You Can Play project, after he was seen with an anti-gay slur written in Spanish on his eye-black over the weekend after appearing at Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox with the Spanish words “TU ERE MARICON” written on an eyeblack sticker, a black patch baseball players wear under their eyes to reduce the sun’s glare which translates into “You are a faggot”.

Bud Selig the current Commissioner of Major League Baseball in a prepared statement said:

“I consistently say that Baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities and that I expect those who represent Major League Baseball to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the game’s diverse fan base deserves.  Mr. Escobar has admitted that his actions were a mistake and I am hopeful he can use this unfortunate situation as an opportunity to educate himself and others that intolerance has no place in our game or society.”

Escobar told reporters that the message was “just a joke” and that “maricon” is a meaningless word that’s often used among Latin players which if true, in itself is shameful that an anti-gay insult  has become so common that its derogatory nature isn’t readily apparent to those who use it.

Escobar will undergo sensitivity training and his lost salary will be donated to You Can Play Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

“I agree with the suspension. I don’t have any problem with that.  I’m sorry for my actions the other day. I don’t have anything against homosexuals. I have friends who are gay.”

Fact Check:  A majority of homophobes also say “I have friends who are gay”.

Just saying…….