Mariners suspend Steve Clevenger after tweets about police shootings, Black Lives Matter movement

The Mariners have suspended backup catcher Steve Clevenger without pay for the remainder of the season in response to racially insensitive tweets he made Thursday about the Black Lives Matter movement and unrest following two more fatal shootings this week of African Americans by police officers.

The Mariners released a statement Thursday saying the team is “very disappointed” in Clevenger’s tweets. They announced his suspension Friday morning.

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“As soon as we became aware of the tweets posted by Steve yesterday we began to examine all of our options in regard to his standing on the team,” general manager Jerry Dipoto said in the Mariners’ press release. “Today we have informed him that he is suspended for the reminder of the season without pay.”

Clevenger, 30, is in his first season with the Mariners and has been on the disabled list since June.

The first of his two tweets on Thursday referenced the fatal shooting earlier this week in Charlotte, N.C. of Keith Scott by a police officer who is also black.

Clevenger tweeted: “Black people beating whites when a thug got shot holding a gun by a black officer haha [expletive] cracks me up. Keep kneeling for the Anthem!” He later tweeted: “BLM is pathetic once again! Obama you are pathetic once again! Everyone involved should be locked behind bars like animals!”

The Mariners’ statement that followed on Thursday said that while Clevenger is “certainly free to express himself, his tweets do not in any way represent the opinions of the Seattle Mariners. We strongly disagree with the language and tone of his comments.”

After the Mariners’ statement, Clevenger released one of his own via Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, apologizing for tweets he called “reactionary” and “worded beyond poorly.”

Clevenger’s statement read: “First and foremost I would like to apologize to the Seattle Mariners, my teammates, my family and the fans of our great game for the distraction my tweets on my personal twitter page caused when they went public earlier today. I am sickened by the idea that anyone would think of me in racist terms. My tweets were reactionary to the events I saw on the news and were worded beyond poorly at best and I can see how and why someone could read into my tweets far more deeply than how I actually feel.

“I grew up on the streets of Baltimore, a city I love to this very day. I grew up in a very culturally diverse area of America and I am very proud to come from there. I am also proud that my inner circle of friends has never been defined by race but by the content of their character. Any former teammate or anyone who has met me can attest to this and I pride myself on not being a judgemental person. I just ask that the public not judge me because of an ill worded tweet.

“I do believe that supporting our First Amendment rights and supporting local law enforcement are not mutually exclusive. With everything going on in the world I really just want what is best for everyone regardless of who they are. I like many Americans are frustrated by a lot of things in the world and I would like to be a part of the dialogue moving forward to make this a better world for everyone.

“I once again apologize to anyone who was offended today and I just ask you not judge me off of a social media posting. Thank you and God bless everyone.”

Clevenger, acquired last offseason from Baltimore for slugger Mark Trumbo, has been on the Mariners’ disabled list since breaking a bone in his hand in June. In addition to his initial injury, he suffered a setback with a flexor strain in his elbow. According to Mariners insider Shannon Drayer, Clevenger had been rehabbing in Arizona and only returned to the team last week.