“Whatever your sports preference,” writes Outsports’ Cyd Ziegler, “what we know is that the New York Mets this postseason became a symbol of homophobia because their star player Daniel Murphy said some nasty things about gay people.” Those nasty things stemmed from MLB’s Inclusion Ambassador, Billy Bean visiting Mets spring training and Murphy telling reporters that he “disagrees” with Bean’s “lifestyle”. Though I’ve already weighed in on Murphy’s dopey remarks, Ziegler joins the chorus of those celebrating the second baseman’s comeuppance.
In the World Series, on the most important international stage, when it mattered the most, God rejected Murphy. God embarrassed him, making him the goat of Game 4 in a burough called “Queens,” forcing him into another embarrassing error in Game 5, and frosting his bat with a coat of ice for the series as Murphy hit just three balls in 20 at bats. That’s a miserable batting average of .150.
In the end, God said “No.” He told Murphy and the rest of the world that his name is not to be used to defend and promote bigotry. He sent a reminder of why he shared his son, Jesus Christ, with the world: To promote love and remove judgment from the hearts of people.
In the end, God rejected Daniel Murphy, his bat, his glove and his team.
I get that Ziegler’s not being entirely serious here, but what exactly did God have against Yeonis Cespedes or Travis d’Arnaud? The higher power can’t possibly have any problems with David Wright’s embrace of all peoples.