MLB to honour gay pioneer Glenn Burke at all-star game

The Manchester Guardian ^ | July 15, 2014 | Amanda Holpuch in New York

[2ndDivisionVet]

Burke, who came out to team-mates in the 1970s and to the public in 1982, died of AIDS in 1995 aged just 42.

More than two decades after Glenn Burke abruptly retired from Major League Baseball, the former LA Dodgers outfielder will be honored at Tuesday night’s all-star game as one of the few professional athletes to have come out.

Burke's four-and-a-half year career is remembered for his charismatic attitude and the pressures he faced as a gay athlete in the late 1970s.

Burke, who played for the Dodgers and the Oakland A's, was the first professional ball player to come out to his team-mates and team owners, although he didn't announce it publicly until 1982, two years after his career was over. He died of Aids-related complications in 1995, aged 42.

Burke said he was "sure his team-mates didn't care" – but admitted he faced problems with management. "Prejudice drove me out of baseball sooner than it should have," Burke told the New York Times in 1994. "But I wasn't changing."

The Dodgers’ general manager Al Campanis reportedly pressured him to get married. "I guess you mean to a woman," Burke replied. Campanis denied the claims....

[2ndDivisionVet]

I predict the Penn State coaches reputations will be rehabilitated sooner than you think.

[TBP]

Did they? I didn’t see it.

[re_nortex]

He was not gay. He was a miserable, unhappy, sexual deviant who was justly punished with AIDS for his sinful behavior. Homosexuals are not -- repeat NOT -- gay. They are sodomites guilty of an abomination. The lesson of Sodom and Gomorrah as revealed through God's Righteous Wrath is just as applicable today as it was then. Moral absolutes are just that.

[doc1019]

AMEN!

[a fool in paradise]

Man led an unhealthy lifestyle that led to his early demise (aged 42) and the liberal corporation celebrates it.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

[JSDude1]

I think we should rename the United States: United Sodom and Gomorrah and then turn out the lights.

[smokingfrog]

Something to really be proud of. Let’s celebrate.

[a fool in paradise]

Burke further angered the organization by becoming friends with the gay son of Dodgers’ manager Tommy Lasorda.

What does the euphemism "becoming friends" mean in the gay community? Did he seduce Lasorda's son?

[a fool in paradise]

Article says he may have invented the high-five. I thought that went back to the days of “gimme some skin” hand slapping.

[llevrok]

Honored a gay guy but no mention of Tony Gwynn nor Don Zimmer. Sigh.

[Fungi]

You got balls baby! Can I say that? One of the better summations without fear. Yes!

[Michael.SF.]

Prejudice drove me out of baseball sooner than it should have,"

Yeah, baseball has always had a prejudice against batters with a .237 career average who only play in 50 games a year.

[Clint N. Suhks]

Soon to be named in the Baseball/Football/Basketball Hall Of fame!

I wonder if the Gay Bowling Hall Of Fame will make it in Montpelier Vermont?

[Ray76]

So he is to be “honored” not for his playing ability. Got it.

[Cowboy Bob]

He died of AIDS? Gosh...how did that happen??? /sarc

[Secret Agent Man]

there is absolutely nothing noble about sodomy or lesbianism. zero to be proud about.

[Forgotten Amendments]

Honored a gay guy but no mention of Tony Gwynn nor Don Zimmer. Sigh.

Money post! Thanks.

[tumblindice]

He was a catcher, right?

An Irishman was watching his first baseball game. He noticed that when the ball was hit, the batter would run as fast as he could for first base.
One batter, however, tossed his bat away, carelessly, and began jogging for the first base.

Paddy asked what was up with that. He didn’t hit the ball.
His American friend said to him, “He’s got four balls on him.”

Paddy considered this for a moment, then stood and yelled.
“Run proudly me boyo!”

[Rockpile]

522 AB,,,,,,,,,2 HR,,,,,38 RBI,,,,,,22BB,,,,,,,73K. In four and a half years.

He was like another Willie Mays.