Tarkus
2004-07-26 14:11:54 UTC
Braves' Smoltz clarifies remarks about stance on gays
By Darren Everson and Jim Rich
New York Daily News
Published on: 07/25/04
New York -- Before he stuck his foot in his mouth in a major way earlier
this season, no one ever confused John Smoltz with John Rocker. Smoltz,
the Atlanta Braves' well-spoken closer, can stand and chat with reporters
for 20 minutes, as he did at Shea Stadium on Friday, and do so without
offending anyone.
But Smoltz, who is also a devout Christian, caused a stir earlier this
month with comments about gay marriage. He was quoted in an Associated
Press story as saying, "What's next? Marrying an animal?"
Before Friday night's Mets-Braves game was rained out, Smoltz explained
himself. Although he has apologized for that remark, which he said was
made in a joking manner after an interview, he does not apologize for his
stance on gay marriage.
He said, however, that he does not have a problem with the idea of having
a gay teammate.
"The question was posed to me, would I have trouble with a gay teammate?"
Smoltz said. "Absolutely not. I have no problems at all, as long as
anybody doesn't impose their ways on anybody, whether it's faith,
religion or personal preference.
"As we were done and walking off," Smoltz said of the interview, which he
said occurred three or four months ago, "I said, 'What's next . . .' - in
a joking manner," Smoltz said. "And then they put that and (Smoltz's
stance on gay marriage) together."
As it happens, Smoltz did have a gay teammate - although he didn't know
it at the time.
Billy Bean, a former big leaguer who has since acknowledged being gay and
written a book ("Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life in and out of
Major-League Baseball") on the subject, called Smoltz's remarks
"uninformed" and said, "It is pretty unsettling."
"There is a born-again mentality in baseball that is right in line with
what I would expect him to say," Bean said of Smoltz. Bean also said,
however, that he and Smoltz were "close friends" when they were in the
Tigers' organization in the 1980s.
"If we played golf or pickup hoops, we would bond like two regular guys,
and he would evolve as a person," said Bean, who said he hasn't talked to
Smoltz since announcing he was gay.
Braves backup catcher Eddie Perez also drew criticism for comments he
made in the same article. "If I knew a guy was gay, then I could work it
out. I could be prepared. I could hide when I'm getting disrobed," Perez
was quoted as saying. "It would be hard to play with someone all year and
then find out they're gay." Perez has said he was misquoted.
Smoltz wants it made clear that he has nothing against gays. "Nowhere in
my conversation was I critical of gays," he said.
What obviously isn't a misunderstanding, though, is his stance on gay
marriage.
By Darren Everson and Jim Rich
New York Daily News
Published on: 07/25/04
New York -- Before he stuck his foot in his mouth in a major way earlier
this season, no one ever confused John Smoltz with John Rocker. Smoltz,
the Atlanta Braves' well-spoken closer, can stand and chat with reporters
for 20 minutes, as he did at Shea Stadium on Friday, and do so without
offending anyone.
But Smoltz, who is also a devout Christian, caused a stir earlier this
month with comments about gay marriage. He was quoted in an Associated
Press story as saying, "What's next? Marrying an animal?"
Before Friday night's Mets-Braves game was rained out, Smoltz explained
himself. Although he has apologized for that remark, which he said was
made in a joking manner after an interview, he does not apologize for his
stance on gay marriage.
He said, however, that he does not have a problem with the idea of having
a gay teammate.
"The question was posed to me, would I have trouble with a gay teammate?"
Smoltz said. "Absolutely not. I have no problems at all, as long as
anybody doesn't impose their ways on anybody, whether it's faith,
religion or personal preference.
"As we were done and walking off," Smoltz said of the interview, which he
said occurred three or four months ago, "I said, 'What's next . . .' - in
a joking manner," Smoltz said. "And then they put that and (Smoltz's
stance on gay marriage) together."
As it happens, Smoltz did have a gay teammate - although he didn't know
it at the time.
Billy Bean, a former big leaguer who has since acknowledged being gay and
written a book ("Going the Other Way: Lessons from a Life in and out of
Major-League Baseball") on the subject, called Smoltz's remarks
"uninformed" and said, "It is pretty unsettling."
"There is a born-again mentality in baseball that is right in line with
what I would expect him to say," Bean said of Smoltz. Bean also said,
however, that he and Smoltz were "close friends" when they were in the
Tigers' organization in the 1980s.
"If we played golf or pickup hoops, we would bond like two regular guys,
and he would evolve as a person," said Bean, who said he hasn't talked to
Smoltz since announcing he was gay.
Braves backup catcher Eddie Perez also drew criticism for comments he
made in the same article. "If I knew a guy was gay, then I could work it
out. I could be prepared. I could hide when I'm getting disrobed," Perez
was quoted as saying. "It would be hard to play with someone all year and
then find out they're gay." Perez has said he was misquoted.
Smoltz wants it made clear that he has nothing against gays. "Nowhere in
my conversation was I critical of gays," he said.
What obviously isn't a misunderstanding, though, is his stance on gay
marriage.
--
"He could help his on-base percentage by taking some more pitches,
walking a little more, and being a little more selective."
- Chipper Jones on Rafael Furcal
Now playing: the radio
"He could help his on-base percentage by taking some more pitches,
walking a little more, and being a little more selective."
- Chipper Jones on Rafael Furcal
Now playing: the radio