New York, NY (Sports Network) - Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar has
been suspended three games for displaying a gay slur written in Spanish on eye
black during a recent game.
Escobar wore the eye black with the distasteful message during Saturday's
game against the Boston Red Sox.
"The salary lost by Escobar during his suspension will be directed by the
Toronto Blue Jays to You Can Play and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation (GLAAD)," the team said in a release on Tuesday. "Yunel will
participate in an outreach initiative to help educate society about
sensitivity and tolerance to others based on their sexual orientation. His
participation will be conducted in consultation with all parties involved.
Escobar will also participate in a sensitivity training program in accordance
with the Blue Jays and Major League Baseball.
"The Blue Jays want to reaffirm that discrimination of any kind will not be
tolerated. The club looks forward to supporting the efforts of You Can Play
and GLAAD to help promote education for players and fans alike and to help
keep language like this out of the game and society."
Escobar is batting .251 with nine home runs and 49 RBI in 132 games this
season.
The Sports Network