Gleyber Torres Calls for MLB to Confront Political Violence While Keeping Baseball Above Partisan Battles
DETROIT — On a night when his bat once again helped the Detroit Tigers inch closer to a postseason berth, Gleyber Torres used the postgame spotlight to deliver a message that extended far beyond the scoreboard. The All-Star second baseman urged Major League Baseball to take a firm stance against political violence, while warning that the sport must remain a place of unity, not division.
“We can’t allow the game we love to become a political weapon,” Torres said after the Tigers’ 7–3 win over the Kansas City Royals. “MLB should stand strongly for peace and justice, but we also have to protect baseball’s purity. It has to bring people together, not push them apart.”
The 28-year-old infielder, acquired by Detroit this past offseason, spoke with a calm conviction that captured the room. Reporters fell silent as Torres emphasized that his words were not about party lines or election-year politics. “This isn’t left or right,” he said. “It’s about making sure players, fans, and our communities are safe—and about keeping the game free from partisan fights.”
Manager A.J. Hinch praised his new star for showing leadership that goes beyond his Gold Glove–caliber defense and timely hitting. “Gleyber understands the platform he has,” Hinch said. “He’s a competitor on the field and a thoughtful voice off it. That’s the kind of presence every clubhouse needs.”
Teammates agreed. “He’s earned instant respect,” first baseman Spencer Torkelson said. “To speak up like that, while reminding everyone the game itself should unite us, that’s powerful.”
Torres’ comments quickly spread across social media, generating headlines and trending hashtags like #BaseballForAll and #UnityNotDivision. Fans and analysts debated how a league with global reach should address social issues while staying focused on the game. Many praised Torres for threading a delicate needle—calling for MLB to condemn violence without turning baseball into a partisan stage.
His stance also resonated with veteran players around the league. “What Gleyber said is exactly what a lot of us feel,” said longtime friend and former teammate Aaron Judge. “We all want a safe, just society, but we don’t want baseball turned into a political battlefield.”
The Tigers signed Torres to a one-year deal last winter, hoping his mix of power and defensive steadiness would bolster a young, playoff-ready roster. He has done just that, providing clutch hits and steady leadership as Detroit battles for the American League Central crown. Tuesday’s comments added a new dimension to his impact, showing that leadership isn’t confined to the diamond.
As Detroit fans cheered another victory, the image of Torres speaking earnestly from the podium lingered. His call for peace and unity underscored that even in a sport defined by numbers, humanity matters more. “Baseball is for everyone,” Torres said before leaving the room. “Let’s keep it that way.”
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