Minor leaguer David Denson receives support from teammates after coming out as gay

Minor league baseball player David Denson says that one of his Helena Brewers teammates jokingly called him a gay epithet last month.

The former South Hills High standout had a good-natured response. “Be careful what you say,” he said, “you never know.”

Over the weekend, Denson became the first player affiliated with a Major League Baseball team to come out as gay during his playing career. According to Denson, he told his teammates first and they told him: “You’re still our teammate. You’re still our brother.”

Several of his teammates from the Milwaukee Brewers rookie league team echoed the sentiment in public statements in support of their first baseman.

“Proud of my teammate and brother David Denson for coming out and being himself,” catcher Charles Galiano said. “A ton of respect for him as a player and person.”

Left fielder Troy Stokes added: “Proud of my teammate David Denson. Extremely brave guy. Much respect for him.”

Catcher Mitchell Ghelfi said: “Sexuality does not dictate one’s ability to play the game of baseball or be a good teammate. Nothing but support for our brother David Denson.”

Denson has also received the support of the MLB and Brewers.

“It’s a very courageous move on his part to be the first one, the first active player to make this announcement,” Milwaukee star outfielder Ryan Braun said Sunday. “Hopefully, everybody is at a point where we can just be supportive, not just understanding, but accepting and supportive of him and his situation.”