MLB Players Polled on Gay Teammate

An anonymous poll of 100 Major League Baseball players show a range of reactions to how they would react to a gay teammate, according to ESPN: The Magazine.

The poll, which appears in the May 17 issue, asks players to rank their answers to 20 different questions on a scale of 1 to 10, one being "none" to 10 being "apocalyptic" for this particular question. When asked how they would react to a gay teammate, the average was a 5.1. Eighteen players did not answer the question.

According to the article, one American League pitcher said, "There'd be a few outliers who would have a strong reaction, maybe a few homophobes. But overall, not a big deal -- I'd say 2 or 3." Another AL outfielder wondered if it would actually change anything, saying, "There's already a lot of funny stuff that goes on with some of my teammates in the clubhouse that makes you wonder." Another player said, "Nobody would want to take a shower."

The results of the poll question are below with the rank followed by the percentage of players who answered.

1: 7%

1.5: 0%

2: 6%

2.5: 2%

3: 8%

3.5: 1%

4: 6%

4.5: 1%

5: 19%

5.5: 2%

6: 2%

6.5: 2%

7: 7%

7.5: 1%

8: 7%

8.5: 2%

9: 1%

9.5: 0%

10: 8%