Blue Jays GM explains why Anthony Bass was dropped after anti-LGBTQ post

Anthony Bass. CJ GUNTHER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Purify the air. Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins spoke out about why the team quit Anthony Bass after the backlash he received from his anti-LGBTQ post.

“As with any decision, we are focused on putting together the best possible team,” said Atkins, 49. Toronto sun on Friday, June 9. “There are many variables. As with anything, there are times when things ramp up and become a distraction in our clubhouse, and that was a variable.

Bass, 35, was “designated for assignment” just hours before he was scheduled to catch a ceremonial first pitch against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, June 9. “Designated for assignment,” said MLB websiteoccurs when a player is removed from his club’s 40-man squad.

The professional baseball player, 35, came under fire in May for uploading a since-deleted video through his Instagram story calling for boycotts of brands like Bud Light and Target for their inclusive campaigns ahead of Pride Month.

A day later, Bass – who has played in 22 games this season – addressed the controversy in front of reporters and apologized for the impact of his post on the rest of his team.

“I acknowledge that I posted a message yesterday that was hurtful to the Pride community, including friends of mine and close relatives of mine. I’m so sorry,” he said at a press conference, according to a clip shared via Twitter. “I just spoke to my teammates and shared my actions with them yesterday. i apologized [to] them, and from now on, I’m using the resources of the Blue Jays to better educate myself to make better decisions in the future.

In a statement to the Toronto stara spokesperson for the Blue Jays shared that “individual player feelings are not representative of the club’s beliefs,” while also reassuring people of the club’s commitment to diversity.

“The Blue Jays bring together millions of fans across Canada and are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for everyone,” the team explained at the time.

According to the team manager John SchneiderBass’s apology was the “first step” in learning how to hold his actions accountable to others.

“It’s not going to be a 15- or 30-second apology and say, ‘OK, I’ve done my part,'” the 43-year-old Schneider told reporters at the time. “We will continue to work with the resources we have to show that he understands that he made a mistake.”

Nearly a week later, however, the Michigan resident told reporters that the video “reflected” [his] beliefs,” although he removed the video.

“I just felt like it [the video] was too much of a distraction, right? But I stand by my personal beliefs and everyone is entitled to their personal beliefs, right?” Bass admitted, according to The athletic. “But I also mean no harm to any group of people. And I felt like for the second time it was the right thing to do and not distract. As a team, our job is to win baseball games. And that’s where my focus is.”

The MLB player – who got his start with the San Diego Padres in 2008 – has also made headlines in his personal life over the years. He married Jessie James Deckers sister, Sydney Rae Bassin August 2016 and welcomed daughter Brooklyn in September 2017. After adopting a second daughter in 2020, the couple revealed in March 2023 that they were expecting a baby boy.

In April, Anthony made headlines when he defended his wife after an alleged incident on a United Airlines flight.

“The flight attendant @united just got my 22-week pregnant wife traveling with a 5-year-old and 2-year-old on her hands and knees to clean up my youngest daughter’s popcorn mess,” he tweeted at the time. “Are you joking?!?!”