Tu Ere Maricón: Blue Jays’ Yunel Escobar triggers online uproar over anti-gay slur

[JackBeck]

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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar has caused an online furor after it was revealed that he wore eye-black tape inscribed with a homophobic slur during Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.

A close-up photo posted on Twitter by @james_in_toronto shows the words “Tu ere maricon” — Spanish for “You’re a faggot” — on the black tape Escobar was wearing below his eyes. The phrase was also evident, although not so distinctly, in a photo circulated to various media by Getty Images.

Several messages seeking comment from Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos were not immediately returned. The Jays are expected to hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon in New York, before their game against the Yankees.

Escobar, 29, was originally in Sunday’s starting lineup, but was scratched before game-time. A club spokesman said he had the flu.

More at: http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/09/17/blue-jays-yunel-escobar-triggers-online-uproar-over-anti-gay-slur/

What a great role model for our youth! Thankfully, many major league sports teams and players have embraced LGBT equality, especially the MLB teams who have recorded videos for the It Gets Better project. The Toronto Blue Jays, on the other hand, have yet to participate in the campaign.

[riverbendviewgal]

1. HE is going to have a very hard tie being a Blue Jay

What he writes is not the Blue Jay way , or Canadian.

I bet he gets a talking too and probably a fine. The club may even send him down the the farms.

[JackBeck]

2. One thing that makes me hit 'pause' on my outrage

is who spelled the phrase on his face paint? He couldn't do it in a mirror once it was applied, so was it done ahead of time or did someone play a prank on him?

[riverbendviewgal]

3. that would be very sad if that is the case

there are mean people out there..

[JackBeck]

4. And I completely realize that this is not the 'Canadian way'.

Y'all are a lot more advanced than we are when it comes to LGBT equality.

[FSogol]

5. It is not face paint, eye black comes in adhesive strips you peel off and apply. n/t

[JackBeck]

8. Is it possible to write on them before applying? n/t

[FSogol]

9. Yeah, I've seen football players with John 3:16 or the # of injured friends written on them. n/t

[FSogol]

6. Doubtful that he could be sent down to the farm, he's been in the majors for 6 years

and probably has no options left. He'll serve a small suspension (5-10 games?), get fined ($10k?) and will have to go to diversity classes. He's already signed with the Jays thru 2013.

[DefenseLawyer]

7. Very strange

I have to wonder if he wasn't pranked. Like a "kick me" sign taped to his back. Otherwise something like that simply defies explanation.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

10. He could've at least spelled it right. nt

[alp227]

11. He has been suspended.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/sports/baseball/yunel-escobar-suspended-3-games-for-slur-on-eye-black.html

(This article never even names the slur or includes the photo.)