Indians pitcher claims he's being censored by MLB after pro-Trump tweets
Complaints about biased media coverage aren’t unusual.
For decades, many Americans have griped about reporting in the mainstream media that favors liberal views and shuns opposing beliefs.
As the delivery of news has shifted from television and newspapers to social media, conservatives have voiced their frustration over how Facebook and others manage their news feeds.
However, it’s rare to hear such complaints from prominent athletes.
In February 2017, a few weeks after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer questioned why there was a “flood” of “liberal slanted anti trump” articles appearing in his Twitter feed.
Really annoyed that @Apple and @Twitter continue to flood my phone with liberal slanted anti trump articles. fair and equal reporting? No?
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) February 9, 2017
His unusual stance ignited a wave of support and opposition, and Bauer, who is seen as one of the more thoughtful players in MLB, engaged with several people on the issue.
there are many many celebrities who support trump. Worry not
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) February 10, 2017
thank you man. Glad someone takes inspiration from all the crap I get
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) February 13, 2017
lol ummm. Lol yeah. You say that to one of the most scientific baseball players in MLB. Ok lol
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) February 10, 2017
the most backwards crap ever
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) February 10, 2017
I do. I know exactly what my phone gets on a daily basis. That's what I tweeted about. HUSH SON
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) February 10, 2017
Now he says his outspoken political stance came with a price.
On Thursday, Bauer tweeted that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office “specifically tried to censor me.”
Just had a meeting encouraging all players to take a stance and be leaders politically. Here’s my stance. I find it disingenuous that @mlb commissioners office would encourage this when they’ve specifically tried to censor me for sharing my opinion on the matter. #RiseUp
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 8, 2018
His comment came in the wake of a meeting at which players were encouraged to become politically active — something Bauer said was “disingenuous” given how he was treated when he took a stand.
The 27-year-old pitcher was relatively quiet on Twitter this offseason, and he suggested that wasn’t his choice.
Almost like I wasn’t allowed access to my twitter account for a while 🤔🤔
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 8, 2018
It wasn’t clear whether Bauer was saying he was shut out by MLB, the Indians or Twitter itself.
Whatever the case, it’s troubling that a player would be silenced for voicing political views that are shared by millions of Americans.
Manfred’s office has yet to comment on Bauer’s remarks.
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