"This isn't me. I hope that from people I've touched and come across, they know who I truly am. I made mistakes. I'm not perfect. I've grown as a person. Baseball really helped me grow." -Josh Hader pic.twitter.com/IHcUVCr2rZ
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 21, 2018
Update 6:45 p.m.
Hader met with media before Friday's game and answered questions. His teammates were in the room as well as a sign of support.
As Josh Hader addressed the media, every one of his teammates has come into the interview room to show their support. pic.twitter.com/aljoWLbpWr
— Andrew Wagner (@ByAndrewWagner) July 20, 2018
He was asked what the last few days have been like for him.
"They haven't been good. I [have] regret for mistakes I've made in the past. That doesn't resemble the person that I am now."
When pressed about his tweets, Hader says he doesn't remember sending them. "No, I do not. They were not meaningful to me. That is not my beliefs at all. It's tough because the people that I've hurt by those tweets is not something I want to do."
As far as the people he's referring to, some of them are his teammates. Hader had an emotional meeting with the team earlier in the day and expressed his gratitude towards the clubhouse. "It was great. Grateful for having my teammates behind me and supporting me. I hope they know the character that I really am and the person that I truly am...It tells me that they have my back and we're a true family"
So, what can Josh Hader take away from the immediate aftermath of this experience? "I believe that there's a greater path to this that I can give back and help others not do what I did and make the mistakes that I've done. This is truly a testament to me and just how bad these really are."
On his meeting with Billy Bean, Hader explains its importance. "It went well. [We] really talked about other people and how important it is to respect others. This isn't me. People that I've touched and come across, they know who I truly am. I made mistakes. I'm not perfect."
As for his lack of a suspension, Hader is open to anything that might come his way. "I made mistakes and I'm willing [to take] all the consequences. This sensitivity training is going to help me grow as a person."
Update: 3:53 p.m.
It appears that many Milwaukee Brewers still have a good relationship with relief pitcher Josh Hader after the uncovering of some derogatory tweets. This, from USA TODAY'S Bob Nightengale:
The Milwaukee #Brewers clubhouse says they are cool with Josh Hader now after he cried during apology
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 20, 2018
Brett Phillips, who roomed with Hader last 4 years, insists he never exhibited racist tones behind closed doors but realizes the hatred that Hader will face on the road. #Brewers
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 20, 2018
Original story:
For the first time since the night of the All-Star Game, when offensive and derogatory tweets send by Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader were discovered from years ago, Hader will get his chance to speak publicly about the controversy.
Hader was scheduled to meet with the media after batting practice late Friday afternoon.
On Tuesday night, as Hader was pitching during the game in Washington, D.C., Twitter users found and re-tweeted posts of homophobic and racist nature from Hader's account. Major League Baseball chose not to suspend Hader, but to place him in diversity and sensitivity training and activity.
"I'm deeply sorry for what I've said, what's been going on. It doesn't reflect my beliefs going on now," said Hader among comments he made after the game. ESPN shared this video below of his comments and of teammate Lorenzo Cain.
Brewers GM David Stearns said on WTMJ Thursday that responsibility ultimately lies with Hader, but that it is a large challenge to be able to search through tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of posts in vetting players' social media accounts.
