Former Blue Jays, Guardians pitcher comes out in emotional social media announcement

Former Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Guardians pitcher T.J. House announced his engagement to his boyfriend on social media.

This past Thursday, United States Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which requires all states to recognize same sex marriages. After passing through the Senate and House of Representatives, the bill now goes to the White House, where President Joe Biden will sign it into law.

On Friday, former Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Guardians pitcher T.J. House released a  lengthy statement on his Facebook page, coming out as gay and announced his engagement to his longtime boyfriend. He cited the passing of the Respect for Marriage Act as inspiration to make the announcement.

You can read House’s statement at this link.

Former Blue Jays, Guardians pitcher T.J. House comes out, announces engagement to boyfriend in emotional social media post

"“Today’s passage of the Respect for Marriage Act protects us to have the same rights and opportunities that each of you have. It protects the same benefits. It makes us equal to you. It allows Ryan Neitzel and I to come together and create something beautiful. It gives me the confidence to get engaged to the person I love (he said Yes!), to marry them. I have a wonderful fiance, who challenges me daily to become a better person. To live life authentically. One who I never deserved but blessed to have. Love you see, it’s for everyone.“I’m finally healing, and days like today are what helps me continue to grow into the person I’ve been all along, one I’ve locked up for 20 plus years.“Today I am Loved.”"

According to Outsports, House is the third former MLB player to come out, joining Glenn Burke and Billy Bean.

House was a 16th-round draft pick of the now-Guardians back in 2008, where he made his major league debut with the team in 2014. In House’s first season as a rookie, he recorded a 3.35 ERA, a 5-3 win-loss record, and 80 strikeouts in 102.0 innings (19 games, 18 starts).

After three seasons spent in Cleveland, House signed with the Blue Jays for the 2017 season, where he appeared in two games. House signed with the Chicago White Sox in 2018, pitching for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. He was released in June of that year.

In 29 games played in the majors, House recorded a 4.44 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP, a 5-7 record, and 90 strikeouts in 119.0 innings.

Congratulations to House and Neitzel on their engagement.