BY LILY WANG – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
When Toronto Blue Jays shortstop, Yunel Escobar makes headlines or becomes a trending a topic on Twitter it’s usually because of a “beauty” play or an unfortunate error. Well, this time it’s an unfortunate error of a whole different kind that’s landed him in hot water. Escobar ignited a Twitter frenzy on Monday night when pictures from Saturday’s game against the Red Sox showed the Spanish words “TU ERE MARICON” scribbled beneath his eyes. The homophobic slur that was written on his eye-black can be translated to “you are a faggot.”
The Jays organization was very quick to distance themselves from Escobar’s actions, issuing a statement that said: “The Toronto Blue Jays do not support discrimination of any kind nor condone the message displayed by Yunel Escobar during Saturday’s game. The club takes this situation seriously and is investigating the matter.”
But the damage had already been done.
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The internet exploded with people condemning Escobar for making a stupid decision. And while the shortstop has clearly been found guilty in the court of public opinion, he could face far stiffer repercussions than just the damage done to his reputation.
MLB spokesperson, Pat Courtney informed the Canadian Press that the Commissioner’s Office would be investigating Escobar’s actions.
And a suspension seems more than likely.
What’s more, Escobar’s future with the Jays suddenly seems less certain. The rumors about his less than stellar clubhouse presence have been around since his days with the Braves. And with rookie shortstop, Adeiny Hechavarria up in the bigs, Escobar is beginning to look more and more like a part of the Jays past.
In Escobar’s defence, there have been a number of people who’ve mentioned that the word “maricon” is used by many Latinos in the Major Leagues as a generic curse word. And that it’s rarely ever used for its literal meaning.
But that doesn’t quite get him off the hook. And neither do the theories of a “harmless clubhouse prank.” Perhaps Escobar wasn’t thinking, perhaps it was a prank, perhaps the word has a number of different meanings.
You can paint it anyway you like, but it’s still unacceptable and inexcusable.
Escobar should have been cognizant of the way the word ‘maricon’ could come across. And frankly, it was an ignorant and insensitive move on his part.
But it would also be an ignorant and insensitive move on our part to not accept that he made a mistake and move on. Because at the end of the day, this is an issue that transcends Yunel Escobar and the Blue Jays and even the MLB.
We like to think that the world of sports is a safe haven for all who enjoy it, but sometimes we’re given a rude wake up call. This incident serves as an ugly reminder that the sports world has not yet conquered homophobia, but that doesn’t mean it can’t.
Escobar will be available to the media on Tuesday afternoon and it might be nice to hear an apology.
But I’d rather see change.
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