People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling on MLB to retire the term “bullpen” when referring to the area where relief pitchers hang out and warm up during ballgames.
The group’s argument is that the term “devalues talented players and mocks the misery of sensitive animals,” according to a press release. PETA believes the area should be referred to as the ‘arm barn’ instead.
PETA’s primary objection is that they say the term “bullpen” refers to the area that bulls are kept before being slaughtered or before participating in rodeos.
This isn’t the first time in recent memory that MLB has been asked to change a commonly used term for being allegedly offensive. In 2019, the term “Disabled List” was changed to “Injured List” after being requested to do so by disability advocates.
That said, it’s unlikely that Rob Manfred will make this change requested by PETA. Manfred is just days removed from saying he’s not concerned with the national outcry regarding the Braves name or “tomahawk chop” celebration, so the odds that he’s concerned with the feelings of cows, who aren’t aware that the game of baseball exists, seems remote.