Posted on 12/04/2014 11:48:42 AM PST by equaviator
Torii Hunter is an anti-gay bigot. This is something he has proven with his own words on multiple occasions. Yesterday, at the press conference to announce the one-year, $10.5 million deal he signed to return to the Minnesota Twins, beat writer Mike Berardino of the Saint Paul Pioneer-Press asked him about those beliefs—specifically, in the context of how Hunter thought supporting Arkansas Republican Governor-elect Asa Hutchinson in his recent election had affected his free agency.
Torii Hunter Says Homosexuality Is "Not Right" (Then Claims He Was Misquoted)
Hunter's response:
You got some people who are just messy, you know? So, no. It is something I don't like to talk about, but Republican Party, Democratic Party, separated, divided we fall. Simple as that. We just go with the best person that's good for the situation. And I'm from Arkansas and I know what's that, that's all. This has nothing to do with being a Democrat or a Republican, just make sure you make the right decision. That's it.
Berardino then followed-up and asked Hunter directly if he would continue espousing his anti-gay beliefs publicly, and if he would answer questions about them from reporters in the future. Hunter's response:
No I mean, nah. There's nothing to talk about. You already know, so why keep talking about it. I said it? It is what it is. No, I'm not going to talk about it if you bring it up. It's not even baseball related. We can do that later, when I retire, then I'll tell you everything.
A few seconds later, during a lull in the press conference, Hunter decided to tell everybody what he thought of Berardino and his questions.
Hey Mike is kind of a prick huh? No, seriously, you're a prick man. I don't even know you. You're a prick. Seriously. Ain't nothing wrong with that man, that's your job. He's definitely a prick though.
Berardino later issued this statement about the incident:
The purpose of my final two questions posed to Twins outfielder Torii Hunter at today's news conference was not to make him feel uncomfortable or to force him to expound on his previously stated views on gay marriage.
Rather, having read the strong criticism directed toward him on social media and via Deadspin.com in light of his recent endorsement of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, which included a comment related to gay marriage, I wanted to give Mr. Hunter an opportunity to respond to his critics.
I also asked him if he thought the political backlash might have impacted his recent job search as he eventually settled for a one-year contract at a 19-percent decrease in his average annual salary. Finally, I asked Mr. Hunter if he intended to be as open with his political and religious views moving forward after having gone through this recent experience.
I asked the same questions a few minutes later of Katrina Hunter, his wife, and she offered well-reasoned answers that did not include insults at my expense. I published her complete answers, as well as those of her husband, on my Twins Now blog at TwinCities.com.
Regardless, I consider the unfortunate matter closed and I look forward to covering Mr. Hunter throughout the 2015 baseball season.
It sounds to me like the reporter is a prick.
So being anti-homosexual is bigoted? OK. So be it.
Just another example of YT keeping the black man down!
Further proof that MSM standards are really low...and sports reporting standards are a few quantum levels below that.
But we already knew that.
T. Hunter is a good guy........
This ‘reporter’ is known for baiting people he doesn’t approve of .
I know. I was sorry to see him leave the Angels.
Yep, he just left the Tigers and he’ll be missed.
Deadspin is the Gawker/Wonkette of sports, id est: Garbage.
Torii Hunter is right on the money.
Of course that was the purpose. You're just too c******t to admit it.
Tempest in a teapot.
Let me be the first to say, that post was completely off base.
I skimmed the headline and went to wrong direction totally.
Rather than respond to fifty people who are going to miss this retraction, I’m going to request that post be removed.
I had missed that this guy was anti-homosexual and probably a decent sort being pushed for his views.
Sorry folks...
It’s just an opportunity to say something good about Torii Hunter whether it’s about his MLB career or not.
An MLB umpire came out of the closet the other day.
Will be interesting to watch the strike zone when Hunter takes his first at-bat in front of him.
Well I apologize for my error. Thanks for the post.
I try not to do that, but sometimes I blow it.
Oops...
LOL funny thing is that immediately after signing with the Tigers he said he wouldn’t be comfortable with gays in the locker room.
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