Milwaukee Brewers prospect David Denson has come out as the first openly gay active player on a team affiliated with Major League Baseball.
In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Denson said he told his teammates on the rookie-level Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League about a month ago.
Denson, with the help of former major leaguer Billy Bean, reached out to the newspaper to tell his story. Bean, MLB’s first ambassador for inclusion, revealed he is gay after his playing career.
“Talking with my teammates, they gave me the confidence I needed, coming out to them,” Denson, a 20-year-old first baseman, told the newspaper. “They said, ‘You’re still our teammate. You’re still our brother. We kind of had an idea, but your sexuality has nothing to do with your ability. You’re still a ballplayer at the end of the day. We don’t treat you any different. We’ve got your back.’
“That was a giant relief for me. I never wanted to feel like I was forcing it on them. It just happened. The outcome was amazing. It was nice to know my teammates see me for who I am, not my sexuality.”
Denson was selected by the Brewers in the 15th round in 2013 after playing for South Hills High School in West Covina, Calorniaif. He spent last season with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in the Class A Midwest League, hitting .243 with four home runs and 29 RBIs in 68 games. He started this season with Wisconsin, hitting .195 with one homer and eight RBIs in 24 games before being sent to Helena. In 42 games with the Montana team, he is hitting .245 with four home runs and 18 RBIs.
Denson told the newspaper he was experiencing depression and mental distress over continuing to hide his sexuality. He first revealed that he was gay to Brewers farm director Reid Nichols, Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson and hitting coordinator Jeremy Reed in a meeting during spring training before this season.
“I don’t have any expectations of what might happen,” Denson said. “I’m hoping it will open the eyes of people in general that we’re all people, we’re human, we’re brothers in the sport. We’re all here trying to get to the big leagues. I’m excited to see where it goes from here, now that I don’t have that wall holding me back anymore.”
Pitcher Sean Conroy, who plays for the Sonoma Stompers in the independent Pacific Association, became the first openly gay professional baseball player in June. The Pacific Association is not affiliated with MLB.
Brewers manager Craig Counsell praised Denson while talking to reporters before Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“I know David a little bit from going to see him in the minor leagues,” Counsell said. “We actually have the same agent while I was a player. So I always looked out for him a little bit when I went to go see him and had conversations with him.
“I’m happy for him more than anything. He says it wasn’t a courageous thing to do. Well, it was a courageous thing to do, and we applaud that. I wish him the best of luck trying to become a major league baseball player.
“I know it’s not easy to become a major league baseball player and I’m sure it hasn’t been easy dealing with everything he’s had to deal with up to this point. Hopefully this kind of gets something for himself out of the way that can allow all his talents to shine through.”
Counsell was asked if Denson makes it to the majors whether he would be welcome in the clubhouse.
“I do. Yes. I hope it happens,” Counsell said. “He’s a talented young man, and I hope that happens.”
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who is stepping down and moving into an advisory role with the team, put out a statement on Denson.
“David is a highly-respected member of the Milwaukee Brewers family, and he is a very courageous young man,” Melvin said. “Our goal for David is to help develop him into a major league player, just as it is for any player in our system, and we will continue to support him in every way as he chases that dream.”