New York Yankees right-hander Sonny Gray becomes latest major-leaguer

Gray, whose tweet didn't include a blatant slur, took a different approach, not apologizing and defending his character.

New York Yankees right-hander Sonny Gray became the latest major-leaguer to have an old tweet questioned.

While Gray was pitching Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, a six-year-old tweet that included a racial reference surfaced. Gray said postgame that the tweet was an inside joke between friends.

Replying in September 2012 to Rashun Dixon, then a teammate of Gray in the Oakland Athletics' farm system, Gray tweeted, "@Sir_Peanut 1. You didn't go to college. 2. You are black. #followdaleaderleaderleader clap clap clap."

Asked about the tweet Wednesday, Gray said, "I'm comfortable with who I am. You can ask anyone in this clubhouse who I am and what I'm about. ... If people are trying to dig stuff up, then ask (Dixon). If people are gonna try to question my integrity and question who I am, then so be it, because I know who I am and if you know me, you know who I am."

In recent weeks, Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Sean Newcomb and Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner all apologized after they were found to have sent racist and/or homophobic tweets before they were 20 years old.

Gray, whose tweet didn't include a blatant slur, took a different approach, not apologizing and defending his character.

"My past has helped shape who I am today," said Gray, 28. "If people want to question who I am like I said, I'll face that head on because I'm not scared of my past. Everything that's happened in my past has done nothing but made me a better man."

Gray had a rough day on the field Wednesday, too. He was caught smiling while getting booed as he left the game after 2 2/3 innings. He allowed seven runs on eight hits in Baltimore's 7-5 victory. Gray saw his record fall to 8-8 and his ERA rise to 5.56.

He had won each of his previous three starts, holding the opponent scoreless in two of those contests.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)