PAGE A2, KEIZERTIMES, OCTOBER 1, 2021
RUBY: ‘It has definitely been a weight off my shoulders.' Continued from page A1
that is openly gay.
In 2014, he was
named MLB's first
ever Ambassador
for Inclusion, a role
which puts him at
the forefront of the
League’s efforts for
a fair and equitable
workplace through-
out all of baseball.
Currently,
Bean
serves as the MLB
Vice President and
Special Assistant to
the Commissioner.
Three years ago,
while still in col-
lege, Ruby sent a
handwritten letter
to Bean, sharing his
secret.
“I wasn't expect-
ing anything in
return. I didn't even
put my last name or
what college I went
to. I just had my
return address at
the top,” Ruby said.
Ruby not only
got a letter of
encouragement in
return, he was also
invited to the MLB
Co m m i s s i o n e r ’s
Office in New York
City.
Ruby still has
Bean's
response
letter framed on his
wall.
“Most
people
don't get to meet
their heroes, but
I did. I felt sup-
ported. I felt like if
anything bad hap-
pened, he would
have my back,” Ruby said. “He has been
such a trusted resource.”
Additionally, Bean also gifted Ruby a
special pair of cleats that Ruby has worn
sudoku
Ruby routinely wears cleats given to him by Billy Bean, who is one of the only living former
MLB players to come out as gay. During Pride Month in June, Ruby wore rainbow colored
shoelaces to go along with his special cleats. File
brainfood
sudoku answers pg A11
coming to Keizer in 2021 to play in the
Mavericks League inaugural season.
In the offseason, Ruby, a native of
Nashville, Tenn., moonlights as a coun-
try music songwriter, often working with
popular music singers such as Hayden
Joseph and Xavier Joseph.
Ruby has been passionate about base-
ball and country music for the majority
of his life. But as a teenager, he never
encountered anyone that was like him
in the baseball or country music scene,
which is why coming out was so import-
ant to Ruby.
“That was the whole reason I wanted
to do this. Being in two industries that,
historically, queer people aren't repre-
sented, that is why I wanted to share
my story,” Ruby said. “It's a scary spot
to be in if you don't see anyone that is
like yourself — especially when you love
baseball and country music. I wanted to
be the person I could never see as a kid.”
“I don't think of it as coming out. It's
really more like inviting in. This is who
I am and who you are shouldn't impact
what you can do. Sexuality shouldn't be
a barrier to what you do. I am hoping my
story will help people in the same situ-
ation. You never know what people are
struggling through.”
When Ruby officially made his
announcement, he was overwhelmed by
the amount of support that he got, receiv-
ing more than 6,000 notifications on his
phone in a 24-hour period.
“I had to go walk around a state park
for an hour just to clear my head. It was
nuts,” Ruby said. “I got so many mes-
sages. I was honestly so surprised and
humbled to see how far of a reach it had.
I wasn't expecting that. I couldn't believe
how many people were inspired,” Ruby
said.
Ruby said he received a similar
response when he came out to his
teammates.
“My teammates and coaches were so
supportive and awesome. The moment
I stepped back onto the field, everyone
embraced me. It couldn't have gone
better,” Ruby said. “If you are a hard
worker and a good teammate, you will
be respected by teammates. I hope that
when people hear this story, they won't
be scared.”
The day after he went public with his
sexuality, Ruby had a base hit with an
exit velocity of 102 miles-per-hour, his
hardest hit ball of the season.
This was no coincidence according
to Ruby, who believes that being out will
make him a better ballplayer.
“There is so much wasted energy
when you are trying to hide in plain
sight. Now, I am just able to play better,”
Ruby said.
Ruby's announcement comes on the
heels of a summer where Las Vegas
Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib and
Nashville Predators prospect Luke
Prokop also came out as gay. While Ruby
was inspired by both of their stories, his
first inspiration came from his hero and
mentor, Billy Bean.
Bean played Major League Baseball
(MLB) for six seasons and is the one of
the only living players (current or former)
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maze by Jonathan Graf of Keizer