(First?) Openly gay MLB umpire retires

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

If you are still losing sleep about what other people do in their bedroom well, whatever.

I don't lose sleep over it and whatever people do in their own bedroom is definitely their own business, but I am sick and tired of having it all shoved down my throat. Why does the article even mention it? Why do I need to know what his sexual orientation is?

Here is another article about 4 MLB umpires retiring. Nowhere does it mention what their sexual orientation is. Is it relevant to the article? Does the reader care?

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/02/21/...-have-retired/

I'm tired of seeing rainbow bumper stickers on the back of cars, rainbow flags, gay parades, etc.. I'm heterosexual, but I don't go out of my way to make it known to people. There is no bumper sticker on the back of my truck announcing it. I don't participate in parades celebrating my heterosexuality.

As Leon said, it's just not news anymore. The world doesn't need to know your sexual preference. Keep it to yourself. If you need to announce it, you're just looking for attention.

[packs]

Sexual orientation does still matter to a large part of the population. It's not something that is just glossed over in daily life. The Supreme Court neglected to rule on protections for LGBT employees 2 days ago. People use the bumper stickers to show pride in something that has been shunned for the majority of history. It's totally understandable why someone would be proud to be who they are without having to hide it in a world that reinforces secrecy.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by packs

People use the bumper stickers to show pride in something that has been shunned for the majority of history.

Fill in the blank were shunned for a majority of history in this country too, but I don't see them with bumper stickers on the back of their cars to show their pride.

[packs]

Why would that preclude someone else from having one? I’m not seeing the connection.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by packs

Why would that preclude someone else from having one? I’m not seeing the connection.

Let me approach this from a different angle. Why does the article have to mention his sexual preference? How is that relevant to his retirement whatsoever? Why does the reader need this information? If it matters, why didn't the other article that I linked include the umpires sexual preference?

It's useless garbage, poor journalism and you know it and just don't want to admit it.

[packs]

I already said why it's important to have stories like this one in my previous posts.

[vintagetoppsguy]

And I already said ones sexual preference doesn't matter and they should keep it to themselves in one of my previous posts.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

Is it relevant to the article? Does the reader care?

I actually asked myself the same thing while reading it. The short to these two questions is 1) No and 2) This reader did. While not permanent to his retirement, had it not been in the article, I would have never known that an openly gay man had umpired 3 World Series', which I, personally, think is important for as many baseball fans as possible to know.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Based on my observations and interactions, anyone who thinks most of the world is now tolerant or indifferent is wrong. Yes, it's probably better than it used to be, but we're nowhere near a world or even a country where it's a non-issue.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Based on my observations and interactions, anyone who thinks most of the world is now tolerant or indifferent is wrong. Yes, it's probably better than it used to be, but we're nowhere near a world or even a country where it's a non-issue.

Yea I have to agree. There are still plenty of racists, bigots, and ignorant people out there. An mlb umpire being openly gay shouldn't be an issue, but for many it is. And for anyone who doesn't think it is wait until an active player comes out. Especially if he's a star.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

And for anyone who doesn't think it is wait until an active player comes out. Especially if he's a star.

You're about four decades late on that one.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by vintagetoppsguy

You're about four decades late on that one.

I mean publicly. I was under the impression Burke's teammates knew, but the media didn't while he was playing. It would be a huge story today if an active player came out.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

It would be a huge story today if an active player came out.

Without doubt. He would be the Jackie Robinson of the gays.

I can't believe I just typed that....though I'm trademarking it right now!

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

I mean publicly. I was under the impression Burke's teammates knew, but the media didn't while he was playing. It would be a huge story today if an active player came out.

His teammates definitely knew (both with the Dodgers and A's), so I think the media had to know. Either way, he was open about it.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by conor912

had it not been in the article, I would have never known that an openly gay man had umpired 3 World Series', which I, personally, think is important for as many baseball fans as possible to know.

I don't understand this. As a baseball fan, why do you feel it important for me (and others) to know that?

I would guess the majority of baseball fans don't give a crap, let alone think it's important.