With groundbreaking news across sports (even National) news outlets that NFL prospect Michael Sam will certainly be the most noteworthy homosexual player in any major sport, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly thinks that Major League Baseball won’t be far behind, or will at least be very accepting of someone in the same situation. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Mattingly seemingly almost played it down, like it wouldn’t be that surprising:

“I’m sure we will,” Mattingly said. “I thought it was interesting. It seems like it’s the right time. It seems like everybody’s ready for it.”

Major League Baseball actually had an openly gay professional competitor well before many other sports in Glenn Burke. There was also Billy Bean (not the Billy Beane of “Moneyball” fame) who was also openly gay.

Interestingly, less than 11 months ago, gay advocate NFL linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo anticipated that baseball would have the first openly gay player (according to Erik Brady of USA Today):

Q: How about the chances of it happening in baseball? A: Honestly, I think it will happen in baseball sooner than in football or basketball. The reason I say that is because I think there is less of a connection to religion in baseball. The religious roots are a lot deeper in basketball and football. With that being said, I think baseball players are more open minded. Q: Why do you say that? A: The baseball players I have known from growing up — I’ve known guys like Pat Burrell — just my interaction with the baseball players and them being on the road and stuff, their lives are a lot different. Whereas, the football guys, we have chapel every Sunday, no matter where we are — there are a lot of religious things going on, whether it’s chapel or Mass or whatever religious group you’re a part of, we have something for you.

I personally think (maybe naively) that homosexuality in just about anything is welcome and not as taboo as people seem to allude. Family, friends, celebrities, coworkers, it’s more a fabric of our everyday lives than sometimes we acknowledge. Sports may be a last frontier (at least on the men’s side) because some lingering masculinity questions. But the sooner we accept, the sooner we move on. I think baseball will probably just keep on moving when a player comes out. And hopefully, it won’t even be a big deal.

– David Whitlock

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