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<\/a><\/p>\nOakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce used an anti-gay<\/a> slur in an exchange with a fan during Friday night\u2019s game against the L.A. Angels, ESPN reports<\/a>:<\/p>\n As Joyce returned to the dugout, he uttered several profanities at the fan, called him an anti-gay<\/a> slur and challenged him to fight, according to AP photographer Mark J. Terrill, who overheard the exchange. Terrill said he did not hear the first part of the exchange.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just one of those things that fans kind of get into the game. Obviously, we\u2019re pretty frustrated on our side, and I had just hit a ball hard and had Cron make a good play,\u201d Joyce said after the game. \u201cI was walking back to the dugout and just had a fan yell some vulgar and obscene words. For me, it just wasn\u2019t the right time to say some stuff like that. I fired back, and obviously as soon as you fire back, you regret saying anything, because it\u2019s just not worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n In May, Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar was\u00a0suspended for two games\u00a0after yelling an anti-gay slur at Braves pitcher Jason Motte<\/a>.<\/p>\n Following his suspension, Pillar apologized, saying he was \u201ccompletely and utterly embarrassed\u201d by his actions.<\/p>\n The You Can Play team would like to invite the Oakland Athletics\u2019 Matt Joyce \u2026 to promote respect for the game of baseball and all fans. pic.twitter.com\/PfQDm080BE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 You Can Play Project (@YouCanPlayTeam) August 5, 2017<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The post Oakland Athletics Player Matt Joyce Calls Fan Anti-Gay Slur During Game, Challenges Him to Fight<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n