So today I figured I’d dig into MLB’s history and current players, especially about gay baseball players. Started simple – just Googled around, clicking whatever popped up first. Honestly? Wasn’t sure I’d find much at all. Baseball’s this traditional sport, right? Figured it’d be kinda hidden or something.
Getting Into The Research
Grabbed my laptop and camped out at the kitchen table with cold coffee. First thing I did? Typed “gay MLB players” straight into the search bar. Clicked through like ten different sites – blogs, news articles, even old forum threads. Kept notes in this messy Google Doc, just dumping everything.
Turns out, finding openly gay active players today? Like finding a needle in a haystack. But the history part? That blew my mind. Didn’t expect to find stories going way back.
- First guy really blew the lid off was Glenn Burke back in the 70s. Dodgers player. Man, what a story – played with Reggie Smith, Dusty Baker. Invented the high-five! Saw pictures of him smiling, full of life. But man… read how the team basically forced him out. Traded him for being gay. Made me pause my coffee.
- Then there’s Billy Bean. Remembered the name vaguely. Actually read his book parts online. Came out after he retired in the 90s. MLB later hired him as this ambassador guy. Progress, I guess?
- Scrolled and scrolled for active guys. Took forever. Found David Denson – minor leaguer came out in 2015. But big leaguers? Almost nada. Saw this one headline about a prospect recently. That was it.
Felt kinda heavy after that. Closed the laptop. Took a walk. Kept thinking – it’s 2023. Why’s this still so rare?
Putting It Together
Later, sat back down. Felt I had to understand the why. Why’s it still mostly retired players or minor leaguers? Found more articles talking about locker room culture, fear of messing with contracts, fans maybe being jerks. Even read an interview where an anonymous guy said team management basically hinted “keep it quiet.” Messed up.
Also looked up current stars who support the community. Lots of feel-good stuff. Found lists of players doing PRIDE events, wearing the rainbow stuff. That was a brighter spot. Names I knew:
- Saw Sean Doolittle mentioned a bunch. Always outspoken.
- Even some managers like Gabe Kapler doing ally stuff.
But yeah… the difference between supporting gay players and actually being an openly gay player? Huge gap.
Ended the night kinda thinking baseball is stuck halfway. Piles of history showing awful treatment. Some real nice support gestures now. But the actual guys playing? Still mostly silent. Or hidden. Makes you wonder how long until another Burke or Bean steps up while still playing.
Glad I poked around. Learned stuff I definitely didn’t know before. Baseball’s got layers, man. Not all sunshine and home runs.
