MLB News 2015: David Denson Becomes First Openly Gay Player in Major League Baseball-Affiliated Team
Milwaukee Brewers prospect, David Denson, revealed to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he's gay. According to a report from the Associated Press, Denson became the first openly gay active player in any Major League Baseball-affiliated team.
The news reached the Brewers. Milwaukee manager, Craig Counsell, told his team about Denson's story after a 4-2 win at Miller Park against the Philadelphia Phillies. Denson, on the other hand, was swept in a doubleheader in the low-level Pioneer League in the minors. He was hitless, with a walk and an error in the game.
In the same report, Counsell said that while still playing in the majors, he shared the same agent as Denson. The Brewers skipper also said, "I know David a little bit from going to see him in the minor leagues. I always looked out for him a little bit when I went to see him and had conversations with him. I'm happy for him more than anything. I just wish him the best of luck trying to become a major league baseball player."
According to Mail Online, the 20-year-old prospect came out with the help of MLB's Ambassador for Inclusion, Billy Bean. Bean is the second player to reveal that he's gay in 1999, four years after his retirement. He became MLB's ambassador in 2014.
Glenn Burke of the Oakland Athletics was the first player to come out as gay after his major league career. In a Sports Illustrated report last June, Sean Conroy of the Sonoma Stompers became the first openly gay professional baseball player.
The pitcher plays in the independent league, Pacific Association of Baseball Clubs featuring teams from Northern California. That league is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.
Denson said via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Talking with my teammates, they gave me the confidence I needed, coming out to them. They said, 'You're still our teammate. You're still our brother. We kind of had an idea, but your sexuality has nothing to do with your ability. You're still a ballplayer at the end of the day. We don't treat you any different. We've got your back.'
"That was a giant relief for me. I never wanted to feel like I was forcing it on them. It just happened," said Denson. "The outcome was amazing. It was nice to know my teammates see me for who I am, not my sexuality."
In 2013, Denson was drafted in the 15th round by the Brewers. He has split his time in Class A Midwest League and rookie-level Helena team. This season, the first baseman has a batting average of .227 with five home runs and 26 RBIs.
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