Mets’ Murphy says he disagrees with gay ‘lifestyle’

The associated press

NEWARK, N.J. — Mets infielder Daniel Murphy says he disagrees with the “lifestyle” of people who are gay.

The Mets hosted Billy Bean, a former major leaguer who came out after retiring and is MLB’s first ambassador for inclusion, to talk at spring training. Murphy spoke to NJ Advance Media afterward.

“I disagree with his lifestyle,” he told NJ.com. “I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual.”

He said he feels that way because he is “trying to surrender to Christ in my own life.”

Murphy said Christians may not have been articulate enough in describing their stance on homosexuality.

He said: “We love the people. We disagree (with) the lifestyle.”

A Mets spokesman said on Wednesday that Murphy would no longer be discussing the issue with reporters.

In a column for MLB.com posted Wednesday afternoon, Bean wrote that he “respected and admired” Murphy for being a family man, praising his decision to skip opening day last year to be with his wife for the birth of their child.

Bean went on to express further admiration of Murphy after reading the All-Star’s comments.

“I appreciate that Daniel spoke his truth. I really do. I was visiting his team, and a reporter asked his opinion about me. He was brave to share his feelings, and it made me want to work harder and be a better example that someday might allow him to view things from my perspective, if only for just a moment,” Bean said. “I respect him, and I want everyone to know that he was respectful of me. We have baseball in common, and for now, that might be the only thing. But it’s a start.”