(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Seattle Mariners have issued a statement expressing disappointment in tweets that came from the account of catcher Steve Clevenger that strongly suggest that people involved with the Black Lives Matter movement should be treated like animals.
Clevenger, who has been sidelined with an injury since late June, issued two tweets on Thursday afternoon. In the first he comments on a police-involved shooting while mocking people who kneel during the national anthem. In the second he calls for people involved in the Black Lives Movement to be "locked behind bars like animals."
The tweets have since been deleted. Here are screengrabs via The Score:
(The Score)
The Mariners at first said they were investigating the tweets. They later issued a statement attributed to Jerry Dipoto, the executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations, confirming that the tweets came from Clevenger.
"The Seattle Mariners are very disappointed at the tweets posted on Steve Clevenger's account. While he is certainly free to express himself, his tweets do not in any way represent the opinions of the Seattle Mariners. We strongly disagree with the language and tone of his comments.
"We are currently examining all internal options that are available to us as we determine appropriate next steps. We will have no further comment at this time."
The last sentence suggests that the Mariners are looking into ways to either punish or release Clevenger.
Clevenger has played in the big leagues in parts of six seasons with the Cubs, the Orioles, and the Mariners.
Clevenger issued a statement to Business Insider apologizing for his comments:
"First and foremost I would like to apologize to the Seattle Mariners, my teammates, my family and the fans of our great game for the distraction caused by my tweets on my personal twitter page that went public earlier today. I am sickened by the idea that anyone would think of me in racist terms. My tweets were reactionary to the events I saw on the news and were worded beyond poorly at best and I can see how and why someone could read into my tweets far more deeply than how I actually feel.
"I grew up on the streets of Baltimore, a city I love to this very day. I grew up in a very culturally diverse area of America and I am very proud to come from there. I am also proud that my inner circle of friends has never been defined by race but by the content of their character. Any former teammate or anyone who has met me can attest to this and I pride myself on not being a judgemental person. I just ask that the public not judge me because of an ill worded tweet.