toronto blue jays Pitcher Anthony Bass will receive the ceremonial first pitch from an LGBTQ activist before Friday’s game against the Minnesota Twins more than a week after he faced fierce backlash for sharing a video on social media calling on Christians to support mass boycotts against Target and Bud Light. .
Bass, who publicly apologized last week for sharing a video he said was «hurtful to the Pride community,» will hear activist leZlie Lee Kam address before Friday’s game, which kicks off the fourth annual Pride celebration. Pride weekend in Toronto.
Anthony Bass #52 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch during the fourth inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees at TD Ballpark on March 18, 2023 in Dunedin, Florida. (George Kubas/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Bass, 35, shared a video on his Instagram Stories last week of a creator named Ryan Miller, who called on Christians to join the boycotts after the retail giant faced massive backlash this month over its Pride Month collection.
BLUE JAYS’ ANTHONY BASS APOLOGIZES AFTER SHARING ‘HARMFUL’ VIDEO SUPPORTING TARGET, BUD LIGHT BOYCOTT
The protests against Target followed boycotts against Bud Light over its association with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in March.
Bass later apologized, adding that he was working with the team to better educate himself.
«I acknowledge yesterday that I made a post that was hurtful to the Pride community, which includes friends of mine and close family members, and I am very sorry for that,» he said at the time.
Anthony Bass, #52 of the Toronto Blue Jays, makes a statement to the media before playing the Milwaukee Brewers in their MLB game at Rogers Center on May 30, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
«The Ballpark it’s for everyone We include all the fans in the stadium and we want to welcome everyone. That’s all I have to say.»
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Bass addressed the controversy again before Thursday’s game against the Houston Astros.
According to The Athletic, he said he had initially shared the video because it «reflected my (Christian) beliefs» and that he did not view it as hateful.
«That’s why I originally posted it. When I look back, I could see how people can see it that way. And that’s why I apologized.»
Bass called the video a «distraction» but ultimately stood by his «personal beliefs.»
«But I stand by my personal beliefs, and everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right? But I also don’t mean to harm any group of people.»
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Anthony Bass (52) throws out the pitch in the ninth inning during the MLB regular season game between the Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays on April 11, 2023 at the Rogers Center in Toronto, ON. (Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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«My focus from the beginning should have been to do my job and accept everyone’s decisions and viewpoints in life,» he continued. «Through this process, I have learned that. In the future, I will definitely know better than to post my personal beliefs on my social media platforms.»
Bass has been booed by Toronto fans in both of his home appearances since the apology, but said Thursday he understands the reaction.
«I just want them to know that I’m working hard on myself, with a lot of self-reflection.»
Associated Press contributed to this report.