Glenn Burke

The 25 year-old relief pitcher, who’s been out to fellow players since 2019, took advantage of his unexpected release from the organization to get personal.

In 1978, the L.A. Dodgers traded Burke because its manager disapproved of him being gay. Now, 44 years later, they’re finally honoring his trailblazing athleticism.

His coach introduced him to the team, saying ‘Oh, by the way, this is Glenn Burke. And he’s a faggot.’” Now the team hosts an LGBTQ Pride night in his honor.

The activism happening in baseball, on the corporate and individual level, sends a clear message to everyone in sports: do something more than change your logos or send social media posts.

If adopted, the House will recognize “Black History Month as an important time to celebrate the remarkable and unique contributions of all LGBTQ+ Black Americans in United States history.”

The first out pro baseball player was loved by his team, but was eventually traded away because he was gay.

Glenn Burke (1952-95) was the first and only major league baseball player to come out as gay.

Glenn Burke’s sister had a tough time even coming to the Oakland Coliseum for Athletics Pride Night. Her brother’s death remains painful 20 years later, but she knows how much it would have meant to Burke to be honored in his former ballpark as baseball’s first openly gay player.

CHICAGO — Dave Pallone, who was part of Chicago history when he umpired the first night game at Wrigley Field, is returning to Chicago to take part in another chapter of American sports history: His inclusion in the inaugural class of what organizers say is the first-of-its-kind National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.

Glenn Burke was the first Major League Baseball player to come out to his teammates and managers during his career.