After writing a gay slur on his eye-black during a game recently, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar has been suspended for three games.
The Blue Jays announced the suspension on Tuesday after meeting with baseball officials. Escobar begins his suspension Wednesday as Toronto takes on the New York Yankees in a double header.
Escobar was supported by manager John Farrell and general manager Alex Anthopoulos at the news conference.
The first reports of the incident came after photos taken by Getty Images showed Escobar with the eye black and showed the words written clearly in Spanish across his cheeks. Getty Images confirmed the photo's authenticity to ESPN.com's Keith Law.
"I'm sorry for the actions of the other day," Escobar said through a translator during a news conference at Yankee Stadium according to the Associated Press. "It was not something I intended to be offensive. It was something I just put on the sticker on my face as a joke. There was nothing intentional directed at anyone in particular."
"I don't have anything against homosexuals," said Escobar. "I have friends who are gay. In reality I'd like to ask for the apologies of all those who have been offended by this."
The translation of the words "Tu Ere Maricon" has multiple meanings, but is known to be used as a gay slur by people.
"It's just something that's been said around amongst Latinos. It's not something that's meant to be offensive. For us, it didn't have the significance to the way it's being interpreted right now. It's a word used often within teams. ... I agree with the suspension and don't have any problem with it."
Escobar will lose at least $92,000 from his $5 million salary and has agreed to donate it to the Blue Jays to You Can Play, a Denver-based organization which is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes without regard to sexual orientation, and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, according to an announcement by the team.
He also agreed to take part in a program to help educate others about insensitivity and tolerance.
"Major League Baseball supports today's decision by the Blue Jays to discipline Yunel Escobar and commends them for handling this situation appropriately and promptly," MLB commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "It is important to note that in addition to being suspended without pay, Mr. Escobar has agreed to complete a sensitivity training program and will participate in a public outreach initiative aimed toward promoting sensitivity and tolerance."
"I consistently say that Baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities and that I expect those who represent Major League Baseball to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the game's diverse fan base deserves. Mr. Escobar has admitted that his actions were a mistake, and I am hopeful he can use this unfortunate situation as an opportunity to educate himself and others that intolerance has no place in our game or society."
As part of MLB rules, any derogatory statements, words or symbols are prohibited on uniforms.
"I can guarantee this will not happen again in my career," Escobar said. "And it's a lesson I've learned and will never commit again in my career. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to be misinterpreted by the gay community. I apologize."
Escobar is originally from Havana, Cuba and has had issues in the past using English and usually talks through a translator.
"I have friends who are gay," he said. "The person who decorates my house is gay. The person who cuts my hair is gay. I have various friends who are gay. Honestly they haven't felt as offended about this. There's just a different understanding in the Latin community of this word."
Escobar expressed his regret and said he would learn from his mistake.
He was traded to Toronto from the Atlanta Braves in 2010 and is hitting .251 this season with 49 RBIs and nine home runs.
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