Sean Conroy is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Sonoma Stompers. The 23-year-old made baseball history on Thursday night.
He became the first openly gay player to actively take part in the sport as a professional. The reliever made his first career start on Thursday during "Pride Night" at Arnold Field in Sonoma, California.
Conroy agreed to come out publicly for gay pride night after privately disclosing his sexual orientation to his teammates and Stompers' management, general manager Theo Fightmaster told The Press Democrat.
"A few gay pro baseball players have come out after their careers ended, but none while playing Major League Baseball or in the minors, according to the Stompers, an independent minor league team unaffiliated with MLB or its farm system," Lori A. Carter of The Press Democrat wrote.
"Major League Baseball historian John Thorn confirmed that Conroy is the first active professional to come out as gay," according to The Associated Press.
Pride Night at Arnold Field is one of the many gay pride events that have taken place in Sonoma County (and Northern California) this month.
Conroy's sexual orientation was not a long-kept secret. He came out to his family and close friends years before making the decision tonight, which he hopes serves as a positive influence for anyone struggling with their identity.
"I've always played baseball because it was fun, and I loved the sport," Conroy told Carter. "Being gay doesn't change anything about the way I play or interact with teammates.
"I hope that in leading by example, more LGBT youth will feel confident to pursue their dreams, whatever those dreams may be."
Conroy joins Jason Collins (NBA), Michael Sam (drafted to NFL in 2014, but never played in a game), Brittany Griner (WNBA), Robbie Rogers (MLS) and others as the first openly gay athletes in their respective sports.
