GaryMrMets
05-01-2003, 02:45 AM
Rockies' Jones Sorry About Anti-Gay Comments
DENVER -- Colorado Rockies pitcher Todd Jones apologized to the organization and his teammates for his recent anti-gay remarks, but he didn't back off what he said.
"I think my only mistake was that I made my views public,'' said Jones, who was teary-eyed at times during his brief statement. "And for that, I apologize to the Rockies and I apologize to my teammates for putting them through this.''
In an entertainment story in The Denver Post on Sunday, Jones said he would not want to have a gay teammate and that gays should not go around flaunting their sexuality.
The comments were part of a story comparing the story line of the Broadway play about a gay baseball player to what might happen if the scenario played out in real life. The play 'Take Me Out' is centered on the repercussions of a Major League Baseball player announcing he's gay.
Jones said in the story that a gay player would cause tension within the clubhouse and that opposing pitchers likely would throw at his head.
"I wouldn't want a gay guy being around me,'' Jones told the paper. "It's got nothing to do with me being scared. That's the problem: All these people say he's got all these rights. Yeah, he's got rights or whatever, but he shouldn't walk around proud. It's like he's rubbing it in our face. 'See me, Hear me roar.' We're not trying to be close-minded, but then again, why be confrontational when you don't really have to be?''
DENVER -- Colorado Rockies pitcher Todd Jones apologized to the organization and his teammates for his recent anti-gay remarks, but he didn't back off what he said.
"I think my only mistake was that I made my views public,'' said Jones, who was teary-eyed at times during his brief statement. "And for that, I apologize to the Rockies and I apologize to my teammates for putting them through this.''
In an entertainment story in The Denver Post on Sunday, Jones said he would not want to have a gay teammate and that gays should not go around flaunting their sexuality.
The comments were part of a story comparing the story line of the Broadway play about a gay baseball player to what might happen if the scenario played out in real life. The play 'Take Me Out' is centered on the repercussions of a Major League Baseball player announcing he's gay.
Jones said in the story that a gay player would cause tension within the clubhouse and that opposing pitchers likely would throw at his head.
"I wouldn't want a gay guy being around me,'' Jones told the paper. "It's got nothing to do with me being scared. That's the problem: All these people say he's got all these rights. Yeah, he's got rights or whatever, but he shouldn't walk around proud. It's like he's rubbing it in our face. 'See me, Hear me roar.' We're not trying to be close-minded, but then again, why be confrontational when you don't really have to be?''