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Mariners suspend Steve Clevenger after tweeting protesters should be treated 'like animals'

<p>Seattle Mariners catcher Steve Clevenger (32) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports</p>

The Seattle Mariners have suspended catcher Steve Clevenger for the rest of the season after he fired off controversial tweets Thursday in response to civil unrest in Charlotte, N.C., Clevenger called for protesters to be "locked behind bars like animals."

"As soon as we became aware of the tweets posted by Steve Clevenger yesterday, we began to examine all of our options in regard to his standing on the team. Today we have informed him that he is suspended for the remainder of the season without pay," said Mariners general manager Jerry DiPoto in a statement Friday.

Clevenger changed his Twitter account to private shortly after he sent his tweets.

Screen grabs taken beforehand read "Black people beating whites when a thug got shot holding a gun by a black officer haha s**t cracks me up! Keep kneeling for the Anthem!" and "BLM is pathetic again! Obama you are pathetic once again! Everyone should be locked behind bars like animals!"

Demonstrators in Charlotte have been protesting the death of Keith Lamont Scott, a black man who was shot and killed by police. Two officers and nine civilians were injured and 44 people arrested on Wednesday in several hours of violence that broke out following peaceful protests, resulting in Gov. Pat McCrory to declare a state of emergency.

Clevenger issued an apology in a statement late Thursday. Said the catcher via Ken Rosenthal's Facebook page:

"First and foremost I would like to apologize to the Seattle Mariners, my teammates, my family and the fans of our great game for the distraction my tweets on my personal twitter page caused when they went public earlier today. I am sickened by the idea that anyone would think of me in racist terms. My tweets were reactionary to the events I saw on the news and were worded beyond poorly at best and I can see how and why someone could read into my tweets far more deeply than how I actually feel.

"I grew up on the streets of Baltimore, a city I love to this very day. I grew up in a very culturally diverse area of America and I am very proud to come from there. I am also proud that my inner circle of friends has never been defined by race but by the content of their character. Any former teammate or anyone who has met me can attest to this and I pride myself on not being a judgemental person. I just ask that the public not judge me because of an ill worded tweet.

"I do believe that supporting our First Amendment rights and supporting local law enforcement are not mutually exclusive. With everything going on in the world I really just want what is best for everyone regardless of who they are. I like many Americans are frustrated by a lot of things in the world and I would like to be a part of the dialogue moving forward to make this a better world for everyone.

"I once again apologize to anyone who was offended today and I just ask you not judge me off of a social media posting. Thank you and God bless everyone."

Clevenger was making a non-guaranteed $517,000 this season; he would be eligible for salary arbitration in 2017. His suspension could be appealed by the Major League Baseball Players’ Association. For now, it will cost him around $32,000. A lifetime .227 hitter in 170 games over six seasons, Clevenger batted .221 with one home run this season. He's best known for being included in trades that sent eventual ace Jake Arrieta from the Baltimore Orioles to the Chicago Cubs, and slugger Mark Trumbo from the Mariners the Orioles this past off-season.

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