Rays' Kevin Cash doesn't expect atlanta braves jersey blue disagreement over Pride Night uniforms to divide team

June 6, 2022 By David Suggs 0

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The Rays hosted their annual Pride Night on Saturday to support the LGBTQ+ community. In this year's edition, the team's uniforms contained special rainbow-colored logos.

Not all members of the team were willing to wear tRobinson Canohose logos, though. Pitchers Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson were among those who objected.

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Adam, the group's unofficial spokesperson, said the refusal was a matter of religious belief. He said that he felt wearing the logo se freddie freeman atlanta braves jersey rved as encouragement of the "behavior" of those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Rays manager Kevin Cash made a point Sunday to express hope that there would be no rifts between the players who didn't want to wear the colors and the players who did choose to wear them.

"I think what it has created is . . . a lot of conversation and valuing the different perspectives inside the clubhouse but really appreciating the community that we're trying to support here," Cash said.

Cash said that there were discussions among the players for weeks leading up to Pride Night.

"Impressed that our players have had those conversions and we want to support our players that choose to wear or choose not to wear to the best of our capabilities," he said, per The Associated Press.

Why did some players not want to wear the logo?

"A lot of it comes down to faith, to like a faith-based decision," Adam said, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. "So it's a hard decision. Because ultimately we all said what we want is them to know that all are welcome and loved here."

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"But when we put (the rainbow colors) on our bodies," he added, "I think a lot of guys decided that it’ atlanta braves jerseys for sale s just a lifestyle that maybe — not that they look down on anybody or think differently — it’s just that maybe we don't want to encourage it if we believe in Jesus, who's encouraged us to live a lifestyle that would abstain from that behavior, just like (Jesus) encourages me as a heterosexual male to abstain f atlanta braves jersey xxxl rom sex outside of the confines of marriage. It’s no different."

"It's not judgmental. It’s not looking down. It’s just what we believe the lifestyle he’s encouraged us to live, for our good, not to withhold. But again, we love these men and women, we care about them, and we want them to feel safe and welcome here."

Who spoke out in support of the rainbow logos? 

Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who wore the colors, said his parents taught him the value of inclusivity.

"My parents taught me to love everyone as they are, go live atlanta braves jersey women austin riley your life, whatever your preferences are, go be you," he said. "I can't speak for everyone who’s in here, obviously, but this is a family-friendly environm Matt Chapman Blue Jays JerseyseMLB Player Tee Shirts nt here at a big-league ballfield. . . . We just want everyone to feel welcomed and included and cheer us on. No matter what your views on anything are.”

Notable Rays Pride Nights

In 2016, the Rays held an emotional Pride Night ceremony just days after the Pul Nelson Cruz Nationals Jerseysse Nightclub shooting in Orlando. In 2019, the organization invited Jane Castor, Tampa's first openly gay mayor, to throw out the first pitch on Pride Night.

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"Our Pride Nights continue to grow both in terms of visibility and participation,” Rays president Matt Silverman said , per the Tampa Bay Times. “By doing this, we extend an invitation not just for this game but for all of our games that the LGBTQ+ community is invited, welcomeCorey Seager Rangers Jerseys d and celebrated."

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