Red Sox believe they took proper steps after learning of Dermody’s homophobic tweet
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CLEVELAND (AP) — The Boston Red Sox imagine they took the correct steps after studying a couple of homophobic tweet made by pitcher Matt Dermody two years in the past.
Dermody, who was introduced up from Triple-A Worcester to make his first main league begin Thursday night time in opposition to the Guardians, made the social media publish in 2021. It has since been deleted, however captured screenshots proceed to flow into.
The Red Sox mentioned they had been unaware of Dermody’s tweet when the 32-year-old signed with the membership in January. Once they discovered of it, staff officers met with Dermody, who went by obligatory anti-discrimination and harassment coaching in March.
“What Matt posted in 2021 was hurtful — and we addressed this with him when we learned about it after he joined the Red Sox in 2023,” staff president and CEO Sam Kennedy mentioned in an announcement. “We cannot dictate the religious beliefs or political views of our players and employees, but we do require they treat people in our organization and ballpark with respect and professionalism.”
Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora echoed Kennedy’s stance.
“Obviously, as an organization we made this decision and done a lot of stuff to educate our players on the subject,” Cora mentioned sitting within the dugout at Progressive Field earlier than the collection finale. “I don’t know how many organizations do it with their employees and their players as far as educating them about being inclusive, and obviously accepting everyone in your clubhouse and your working environment.”
Dermody gave up two of Jose Ramirez’s three house runs and took the loss because the Red Sox had been thumped 10-3 by the Guardians.
Afterward, Dermody expressed some regret for his actions.
“I do regret the tweet in the sense that it came out hurtful and it hurt a lot of people,” he mentioned. “That’s the last thing I want to do is hurt people. A lot of people think that I’m against a certain group of people or whatnot. But I’m for everybody making it to heaven.”
Dermody is anticipated to be designated for project Friday as one in all a number of roster strikes by the Red Sox.
Cora mentioned it’s not his place to have an opinion on Dermody’s beliefs.
“Obviously, not too many people agree with the tweet of Matt’s,” Cora mentioned. “I’m not right here to inform him what to say or to do. But one factor for positive, once you put this uniform on, what we wish is for folks to be inclusive.
“I think the clubhouse is a reflection of the world. We’ve got people from different race, different beliefs, not just religious beliefs but also politics.”
