MILWAUKEE - Brewers reliever Josh Hader apologized to his teammates before a home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers after years-old racist and homophobic tweets surfaced during the All-Star Game.
Outfielder Brett Phillips says Hader offered a sincere apology. Manager Craig Counsell described Hader as emotional and very remorseful.
The 24-year-old Hader also apologized and took responsibility for the tweets after the All-Star Game, saying they did not reflect his values or the person he is now.
The tweets included uses of a slur used to disparage African-Americans and one that simply said "KKK."
Hader also met Friday with Billy Bean, Major League Baseball's vice president for social responsibility and inclusion. Bean says he is sympathetic to Hader, whom he described as being in a "tremendous amount of pain."
Brewers General Manager David Stearns said Hader would have to "work very hard to re-earn the trust of some people who may question who he is right now. I think I know who Josh Hader is, and I personally do not believe that these comments represent who he is as a person."
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