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Pillar, one of MLB's best defensive center fielders, shouted
at Atlanta's Jason Motte after striking out to end the seventh
inning on what he felt was a quick pitch. The heated exchange
led to the benches being cleared.
"Last night, following my at-bat in the seventh inning, I used
inappropriate language toward Braves pitcher Jason Motte,"
Pillar said in a statement.
"By doing so I had just helped extend the use of a word that has
no place in baseball, in sports or anywhere in society today.
I'm completely and utterly embarrassed and feel horrible to have
put the fans, my teammates and the Blue Jays organization in
this position."
Pillar is in the midst of the best season since making his MLB
debut in 2013 and has compiled a .305 batting average, .375
on-base percentage, six home runs and six steals in 41 games
this year.
The Blue Jays issued a statement prior to announcing the ban,
which was a joint decision between the team and MLB, saying they
are "extremely disappointed" by Pillar's comments and apologized
to all fans, MLB and the LGBTQ community.
"We know Kevin to be a respectful, high-character individual who
we hope will learn from this situation and continue to
positively contribute and live up to our values on and off the
field," the Blue Jays said.
In 2012, the Blue Jays suspended shortstop Yunel Escobar for
three games for playing while wearing eye black that contained a
gay slur in Spanish.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue; Editing by Toby Davis)
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