"Major League Baseball is a social institution that brings people together and welcomes all individuals of difference races, genders, national origins and sexual orientations into the ballpark," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement distributed shortly before today's first pitch. "Conduct by people associated with MLB that shows insensitivity to sothers simply cannot and will not be tolerated. I understand that Mr. McDowell is very contrite about his conduct, and hopefully this incident will be used to increase public awareness of the importance of sensitivity to others. I commend Justin Quinn and his family for bringing this issue to our attention so that it will not happen again in the future."