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ekansekans's blog: "df"

created on 10/29/2012  |  http://fubar.com/df/b351055

is the dean of major

NEW YORK -- Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar was suspended for three games Tuesday by the Blue Jays for wearing eye-black displaying a homophobic slur written in Spanish during a game last weekend against Boston. NaVorro Bowman Jersey . Escobar apologized to his team and "to all those who have been offended" for what he said was meant to be "just a joke." Escobar had written under his eyes "TU ERE MARICON," which can be translated as "You are a ------." "It was not something I intended to be offensive," he said through a translator. "It was not anything intended to be directed at anyone in particular." Escobar said he wrote the message 10 minutes before Saturdays home game on his eye-black, a sticker players wear under their eyes to reduce sun glare. The 29-year-old Cuban said he frequently puts messages there -- usually inspirational, manager John Farrell offered -- and had never previously written that specific slur. Escobar insisted the word is often used within teams and by Latinos and "I didnt see it as something bad at the time." "For us, it doesnt have the significance to the way its being interpreted now," he said. "Its a word without a meaning." "I dont have anything against homosexuals," he said, adding he didnt mean for the term to be "misinterpreted" by the gay community. The suspension -- issued after input from Commissioner Bud Selig, the players union and team management -- was to have started Tuesday night. The game between Toronto and New York was rained out. The penalty was announced in a 26-minute news conference at Yankee Stadium. Escobar wore a jacket and jeans and was joined by Farrell, Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos, coach Luis Rivera and translator Robbie Guerra, a lawyer from the players union. Escobars lost salary during the ban -- about US$82,000 -- will be directed to two advocacy groups, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and You Can Play. Escobar will also take part in an outreach initiative to promote tolerance to others based on their sexual orientation, and participate in a sensitivity training program. Pictures posted online showed Escobar with the message written during the Red Sox-Blue Jays game. Farrell said Escobars notes are often to the effect of "Lets go today." They draw so little attention that nobody caught the change. "There was no reason to think it was something derogatory," Farrell said. Farrell said the slur was written in small letters and "if someone had seen it, I would suspect someone would have said something." Major League Baseball regulations prohibit derogatory words and symbols on uniforms. Writing something of that nature on eye-black would fall under that category, MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said. The NFL and college football have banned eye-black messages. The college ban came after stars including Tim Tebow, who wrote Bible verses, and Reggie Bush, who put his hometown area code, began to use the eye-black to send messages. "Mr. Escobar has admitted that his actions were a mistake and I am hopeful he can use this unfortunate situation as an opportunity to educate himself and others that intolerance has no place in our game or society," Selig said in a statement. GLAAD President Herndon Graddick commended the decision. "Todays actions show that MLB and the Toronto Blue Jays are committed to creating an environment that all fans and families can enjoy, not a place where discriminatory language and anti-gay attitudes are accepted," Graddick said in a statement. You Can Play, an organization dedicated to eliminating homophobia in sports, was founded by Patrick Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke. Patrick Burke said via Twitter he was satisfied with how the Jays handled the situation. "(The Jays) combined discipline with education to ensure everyone learns from this," he tweeted. Anthopoulos said he had spent most of the day with Escobar at the commissioners office. "I dont know theres a right way to deal with these things," he said. "Youre not going to satisfy everyone." In May 2011, MLB suspended Atlanta pitching coach Roger McDowell for two weeks without pay for inappropriate comments and gestures with homophobic and sexual overtones he made toward fans before a game in San Francisco. In April, Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was suspended for five games by his team because of comments that he loves Fidel Castro. Many Cuban-Americans were angered by the remarks. On Tuesday, Guillen said he didnt think Escobar meant to be offensive. "I think he just did it for fun. I know he didnt mean to hurt anybodys feelings. Nobody is that stupid," he said before the Marlins hosted Atlanta. "In my house, we call (each other) that word every 20 seconds. Ive got three kids," Guillen said. "For us, its like Whats up, bro? Whats up, dude? Its how you say it and to who you say it. But thats our country. We have to respect this country. Sometimes for us its funny, for other people its not." Escobar was traded from Atlanta to Toronto in July 2010. He is hitting .251 this season with nine home runs and 49 RBIs. Escobars salary this year is $5 million. The Blue Jays have club options on him for 2014 and 2015. After the news conference, Escobar walked back into the Toronto clubhouse and said little. "You have to respect the way things work here," Blue Jays pitcher Carlos Villanueva said. "But sometimes it has to happen in the first-person point of view for us to change the way we view things. "I know hes extremely embarrassed, were extremely embarrassed for him, we know its not an easy thing. I know he doesnt want to deal with it, but he has to. He has to step up, especially how things are nowadays. You just have to watch what you say, or what you express out there." MLB commissioner Bud Selig released a statement about Escobars suspension, saying, "Major League Baseball supports todays decision by the Blue Jays to discipline Yunel Escobar and commends them for handling this situation appropriately and promptly. It is important to note that in addition to being suspended without pay, Mr. Escobar has agreed to complete a sensitivity training program and will participate in a public outreach initiative aimed towards promoting sensitivity and tolerance. I consistently say that Baseball is a social institution with important social responsibilities and that I expect those who represent Major League Baseball to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the games diverse fan base deserves. Mr. Escobar has admitted that his actions were a mistake and I am hopeful he can use this unfortunate situation as an opportunity to educate himself and others that intolerance has no place in our game or society." Kyle Williams Jersey . While he was racking his brain, he said he came to the realization that the only way the AL Central favourites were going to turn things around was if he stuck with his slumping sluggers until they pulled out of it. Aldon Smith Camo Jersey . -- Saer Sene scored twice for the New England Revolution, and Houstons Luiz Camargo tied it for the Dynamo with 3 minutes left in regulation in a 2-2 draw Saturday night. http://www.the49ersfootballstore.com/navorro-bowman-super-bowl-jersey/ . Mayer was looking for his third straight quarterfinal after reaching the last eight at Wimbledon and Hamburg. Bolelli will next play Martin Klizan, the fifth-seeded Slovak who defeated countryman Pavol Cervenak 6-4, 6-4. Patrick Willis Pink Jersey . Off-Season Game Plan looks at Stars roster and what moves could help them bid for a playoff spot next season. While the Stars missed the postseason, their minus-11 goal differential was the best among non-playoff clubs last season, so they arent necessarily that far away. Justin Smith Womens Jersey . The 84-year-old Scully has been advised by doctors to rest and will miss the game against Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Scully, who joined the Dodgers in 1950 and is the dean of major league baseball broadcasters, was preparing to announce the Masters golf tournament in 1977 when he last missed the teams home opener.HARRISON, N.J. -- Recently signed Tim Cahill got his first MLS point with an assist on Markus Holgerssons goal and the New York Red Bulls moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on Friday night. The win kept the Red Bulls (12-7-5) undefeated at home at 8-0-3 and vaulted them atop the East with 41 points, one ahead of Houston and Sporting Kansas City. Jan Gunnar Solli tapped in a cushion goal in the second minute of extra time off an assist from forward Thierry Henry for the final margin. The loss snapped a five-game win streak and eight-game unbeaten string for Houston (11-6-7). Taking a cross from the left near goalkeeper Tally Hall in the 61st minute, Cahill, who came over July 26 from English Premier League club Everton, headed it across Halls front to a surprised Holgersson. The defender put it into the open net for his second goal of the season. The game wwas Cahills home league debut, having previously played the first half of their friendly with EPL side Tottenham two weeks ago. Frank Gore Jersey. . At that time, Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said hed count on Cahill to organize the midfield, and he did a solid job of that. The Red Bulls had the better of the midfield play, particularly when they sent Henry on two first-half break-ins that Hall thwarted. The overall play was a switch from the Red Bulls match in Houston last week, when the Dynamo put the game away in the first half with two goals off a sloppy defence. Former Red Bulls player Macoumba Kandji had Houstons best chance of the opening half in the 31st minute, only to have Red Bulls keeper Bill Gaudette dive for a save on his break-in. The Dynamo, which has never won in New York in nine matches, had two good chances in the second half, but Kandji missed wide on one and Gaudette saved another. ' ' '

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