Forcing rookies to dress up as women and in funny costumes has been a long standing tradition in Major League Baseball, but as part of the new collective bargaining agreement, one that has come to an end.
The Anti-Hazing and Anti-Bullying Policy is part of the new labor deal that was ratified on Tuesday, with the players association agreeing not to contest it. The policy according to the Associated Press, prohibits teams from “requiring, coercing or encouraging” players to engage in activities that include “dressing up as women or wearing costumes that may be offensive to individuals based on their race, sex, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or other characteristic.”
Former MLB second baseman and Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper commented on rule-change with Murph and Mac on Wednesday morning, saying that while he understands the thinking behind it, social media played a part in it being banned.
“This was something that happened in the clubhouse and once it got involved in social media and in pictures of these guys went viral, you just had the feeling that something was going to happen,” Kuiper said. “I get why guys are upset you know this is something that they enjoy doing, I’m sure the rookies didn’t enjoy it that much, but they all knew that eventually if they got to the big leagues this was going to happen. So this was something that evolved inside the clubhouse and someone else is taking it away, and I think that’s probably what bothers them.”
“I don’t believe I ever watched where there was one rookie that had to do it. I think one of the reasons you get through this as a young player is because there’s other guys doing it and all the other guys in the clubhouse had to do it. I get why the rule came down, I do.”
Kuiper believes that the ruling could lead to a slippery slope.
“I do think we have to be really careful with how we are policing these players,” Kuiper said. “Does this mean that eventually down the road that a veteran guy cannot yell at a rookie. ‘Can’t do it, that’s bullying!’ So I think you really have to be careful with how you’re doing it.”
Listen to the full interview below.