Programming note: Giants Insider Andrew Baggarly is in Arizona; check back for his coverage throughout spring training and watch SportsNet Central nightly at 6 and 10:30 p.m. for all the day’s MLB news.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Giants CEO Larry Baer voiced his opposition to Arizona Senate Bill 1062, which if signed into law, would allow businesses to turn away members of the gay community on religious grounds.
“From our standpoint as a company that does business here, it’s something we can’t support at all,” Baer said. “We hope the bill isn’t signed.”
Baer said the Giants “can’t undo spring training, but we can say strongly that it doesn’t fit the philosophy and the values of our organization.”
[RATTO: Brewer's choice: Pass anti-gay SB 1062 or host Super Bowl XLIX]
A few hours after Baer made his comments at Scottsdale Stadium, Major League Baseball issued its own statement in opposition to the bill:
“As the sport of Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball and its 30 Clubs stand united behind the principles of respect, inclusion and acceptance. Those values are fundamental to our game’s diverse players, employees and fans. We welcome individuals of different sexual orientations, races, religions, genders and national origins.
“MLB has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination based on sexual orientation, as reflected by our collective bargaining agreement with the MLB Players Association. Accordingly, MLB will neither support nor tolerate any words, attitudes or actions that imperil the inclusive communities that we have strived to foster within our game.”
The bill is awaiting a signature from Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, although it can be passed into law if she takes no action to veto it.
Although Major League Baseball did not make any specific threats to limit its business activity in Arizona, it’s possible that the NFL could seek to relocate the Super Bowl or Pro Bowl if the bill passes.
Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!
