“I felt like it was time and I wasn’t afraid of the unknown any more. I felt like people needed to know,” Dillinger, 39, said about his decision to come out. He contacted Outsports after reading about the public coming out of Kevin McClatchy, former owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was happy to share his story.
Ironically, Dillinger – from Connellsville, Pa., just southeast of Pittsburgh – was playing for the Pirates’ Minor League system when McClatchy bought the team in 1996. He knew a woman who was dating McClatchy at the time and she suspected the owner might be gay; hearing it confirmed this September “inspired and thrilled” Dillinger.
“What some people do not understand is that it takes considerable courage to reveal your true self and to not worry about what others may think of you, especially in professional sports,” Dillinger said. “Whether it’s as a player or executive, the unknown is what really keeps some of us in the closet. I’m very proud of Kevin and I wish he and his partner the best for years to come.”
...He also offers advice to any player considering coming out:
“My advice to a player who would decide to come out is to talk to one of your closest teammates first. If they are understanding and accepting like they should be, continue further and let the whole team know.
“I 100% believe that most of your teammates will respect you even more if you are honest with them. Baseball as well as all major sports have come a long way as far as not tolerating bigoted behavior and homophobic slurs. There have been quite a few examples recently. Successful athletes have one thing in common which helps make them successful: NO FEAR. This should be no different.”
Repoz
Posted: October 24, 2012 at 05:24 AM |
12 comment(s)
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1. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish Posted: October 24, 2012 at 07:51 AM (#4281300)Props to Dillinger for having the courage to come out. I hope he and his partner have a long and happy life together.
All the more reason powerful and famous people should come out.
Ray, if you're tired, take a nap.
Good for Mr. Dillinger. May some active big leaguer soon follow his lead.
I'm not gay and thus have no real right to comment here, but honestly it strikes me as such an intensely personal decision to come out that I think it's a bit unfair to say famous people who are closeted should come out. I would think they should come out when they are good and ready and not a moment beforehand.
I don't think he meant famous people who are closeted. I think he meant all famous people should come out, regardless of their actual orientation. :)
Number of times I get accused of making a thread about myself: Countless.
Number of threads I make about myself: Zero.
Number of threads other people make about me: Countless.
Back to the FA, I think his advice is pretty sound, and what I've long suspected. Provided the guy is already respected in the clubhouse, I think most teammates will be supportive of a gay teammate.
Except it's true.
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