The 2017 World Series incident between Yuli Gurriel and Yu Darvish was a painful reminder of the racism that still exists in sports and society
But it also offered a teachable moment — one where athletes, fans, and leagues had the opportunity to reflect, learn, and push for a more inclusive future.
While the game itself is long over, the lessons from that controversial night remain relevant today.
By choosing education and empathy over anger and division, Darvish set a gold standard for grace under pressure — and for how we can all respond to ignorance with dignity and hope.
The signing of Yuli Gurriel is a bold move by the San Diego Padres, one that brings both potential benefits and controversy.
While his on-field contributions remain uncertain, the biggest storyline is how his presence will affect team dynamics, particularly his relationship with Yu Darvish.
In the world of professional sports, second chances are often given to players who can still contribute. Whether this will be a story of redemption or continued controversy remains to be seen. For now, the Padres and their fans must wait and see if this gamble pays off.
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San Diego Padres Sign Yuli Gurriel
A Surprising Move with Controversial Implications
The San Diego Padres made waves in the baseball world on Tuesday when they signed veteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel to a minor league contract.1
The deal includes a $1.25 million payout if Gurriel makes it to the major league roster, along with $1 million in potential incentives, as reported by Manny Randhawa of MLB.com.
The move came as a surprise, not just because of Gurriel’s age—at 40, he is well past his prime—but because of his history with Padres ace Yu Darvish.
The two players have an infamous past stemming from the 2017 World Series, when Gurriel, then with the Houston Astros, made a racist gesture toward Darvish, who was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This incident led to widespread backlash and resulted in a five-game suspension for Gurriel.
The vacation #LaPiña🍍 hair. Tell me what you think 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hqKr54d2rv
— Yulieski Gurriel (@el_yuly10) November 20, 2022
Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Gurriel and Darvish’s History
With Gurriel now joining the Padres, many were eager to know how Darvish felt about the move. Padres manager Mike Shildt quickly addressed these concerns, stating that general manager A.J. Preller had spoken with Darvish prior to finalizing the deal.
“Yeah, I know. I know AJ spoke to Darvish about it,” Shildt told reporters. “And as you would expect from Yu, and quite honestly, our entire organization, we’re mindful and want to make sure that people are being respected. We also know—and I won’t speak for Darvish—but he was communicated with. He can answer that question if you feel it’s important.”
Shildt also emphasized the value of forgiveness and understanding in the game of baseball.
“But the fact of the matter is, that grace is important. I don’t know that we give enough of it,” he continued. “It happened a long time ago. It was in competition, a one-off, and at least we’re not going to hold Gurriel’s feet to the fire. And I respect Yu for having that grace and forgiveness in his heart.”
Yuli Gurriel: Career Evolution
Yuli Gurriel first made a name for himself in professional baseball with his success in Cuba before signing with the Houston Astros in 2016.2
He quickly became a key contributor, helping the Astros win the 2017 World Series. However, his legacy is somewhat tainted due to the cheating scandal that surrounded that championship season.
Despite the controversy, Gurriel remained an important part of the Astros’ lineup for several years, known for his ability to make contact and put the ball in play.
He won the American League batting title in 2021 with a .319 average and provided veteran leadership on the team.
Last season, Gurriel played with the Kansas City Royals, where he struggled at the plate. In 18 games, he hit .241 with no home runs and six RBIs, leading some to question whether he still has the ability to compete at the highest level.
What Gurriel Brings to the Padres
While Gurriel’s best days are likely behind him, the Padres see him as a potential depth piece who can provide veteran leadership and situational hitting.
Given his extensive experience, he could serve as a mentor to younger players while offering a reliable bat off the bench.
San Diego has been looking for additional depth at first base, especially after the departure of some key players. If Gurriel can perform well in the minors, he may earn his way onto the major league roster as a backup or situational player.
The Role of Forgiveness in Sports
- Forgiveness is a complex topic, especially in sports, where emotions run high and past transgressions are not easily forgotten.
- While some fans may feel that Gurriel’s actions in 2017 should permanently define him, others believe in second chances and the ability to grow from mistakes.
- Sports history is full of instances where players have had to overcome past controversies. Some have successfully rehabilitated their images, while others have struggled to move on.
- The Padres’ decision to sign Gurriel suggests that they believe he has learned from his past and can contribute positively to the team.
- Gurriel’s immediate future will depend on his performance in the minor leagues. If he can show that he still has the ability to contribute at the plate, he may earn a call-up to the major league roster.
- However, if he struggles, his tenure with the Padres could be short-lived.
- For the Padres, this signing is a low-risk move that could pay off if Gurriel can provide depth and leadership. The team is looking to compete in a highly competitive National League West, and every small advantage matters.
- As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Gurriel integrates into the Padres’ clubhouse and how his presence affects team chemistry.
- The hope is that the team can move forward and focus on winning baseball games rather than past controversies.
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Yu Darvish and Yuli Gurriel: Controversial Moment in the 2017 World Series
The 2017 World Series was supposed to be a thrilling matchup between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing two of the best teams in Major League Baseball.3
However, during Game 3 of the series, a disturbing incident took center stage, drawing attention away from the athleticism and competition.
The controversy began when Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel made a racially insensitive gesture directed at Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish after hitting a home run off him.
This incident not only sparked widespread outrage but also opened up conversations about racism in sports and cultural sensitivity.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into what happened, the responses from both players, the repercussions, and how this moment continues to shape conversations around diversity and inclusion in sports today.
The Incident: What Exactly Happened?
During Game 3 of the 2017 World Series, played on October 27, 2017, Yuli Gurriel hit a home run off Yu Darvish in the second inning.
As he returned to the Astros’ dugout, cameras captured Gurriel making a ‘slant-eyes’ gesture — a racially offensive expression often used to mock people of East Asian descent.
He also reportedly used the word “chinito,” a Spanish term that translates to “little Chinese boy” — though it’s commonly used to refer to people of East Asian heritage in some Latin American cultures.
The gesture was subtle but unmistakable, and it immediately drew attention and condemnation from viewers and commentators alike.
Disappointment and Grace
Yu Darvish, a Japanese pitcher with an impressive international career, did not react emotionally on the field. However, after the game, Darvish addressed the incident with composure and wisdom.
“I feel disappointed,” Darvish said through his interpreter. “Acting like that… is disrespectful to people around the world. I try not to care much about it, but he played in Japan, and I have a lot of respect for him, so I try not to think about it too much against him.”
Darvish’s ability to respond without anger or hostility was widely praised, as he took the high road in what could have become a much more volatile situation.
Instead of fueling the flames of the controversy, he encouraged people to use the incident as a learning opportunity.
Yuli Gurriel’s Apology: Sincere or Damage Control?
Recognizing the gravity of his actions, Yuli Gurriel apologized both publicly and privately.
“Yesterday I was commenting that I’d never had any success against Darvish, and the gesture was saying that I wish he would look at me like one of them and maybe he’d throw me an easy pitch so I can do something,” Gurriel explained. “At no point did I mean that in an offensive way. On the contrary, I’ve always had a lot of respect for them.”
While some believed Gurriel’s apology was sincere, others criticized it as a weak attempt at damage control, pointing out that, as a professional athlete who had played in Japan, he should have understood the offensive nature of his gesture.
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MLB’s Response: A Suspended Punishment
Major League Baseball (MLB) took action, though some believed it wasn’t enough. The league suspended Gurriel for five games — but not during the World Series. Instead, the suspension would take effect at the beginning of the 2018 regular season.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred defended the decision, stating:
“I wanted the burden of this discipline to fall primarily on the wrongdoer. I was impressed with Mr. Gurriel’s remorsefulness and his willingness to accept that he was being disciplined appropriately. I felt it was unfair to punish the other 24 players on the Astros roster.”
This decision was met with mixed reactions. Some fans and analysts argued that Gurriel should have faced immediate consequences, while others appreciated MLB’s attempt to handle the situation with sensitivity to both teams’ championship aspirations.
Cultural Context: Why the Gesture Was Offensive
To fully understand why Gurriel’s gesture was so offensive, it’s essential to recognize the historical and cultural weight behind the “slant-eyes” expression.
The gesture has long been used to mock and dehumanize people of Asian descent, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that Asians are “foreign” or “other.” For Darvish, who is Japanese-Iranian, seeing this stereotype on such a global stage was not just personally hurtful but indicative of broader cultural insensitivity.
Gurriel’s history with Japan made the incident even more shocking. He had played professional baseball there and had experienced Japanese culture firsthand. His claim of ignorance, therefore, rang hollow to many observers.
The Aftermath: Lessons Learned
In the days and weeks following the incident, both Darvish and Gurriel took steps to mend their relationship. Darvish encouraged forgiveness and growth, stating:
“Nobody’s perfect. That includes both you and I. What he has done today isn’t right, but I believe we should put our effort into learning from it and try to be a better man.”
This gracious perspective not only diffused the immediate tension but also set an example for how athletes — and fans — can respond to moments of ignorance and insensitivity with education and empathy.
Yuli Gurriel: Fan Reactions
The media covered the controversy extensively, with headlines debating whether Gurriel’s punishment was sufficient and whether MLB’s handling of the situation set the right precedent.
Fans, too, were divided. Some Astros supporters defended Gurriel, insisting that the gesture was not meant to be offensive, while others called for a more significant suspension or even removal from the World Series roster.
In the end, the incident revealed deeper conversations about cultural awareness in sports and how professional leagues can — and should — address racism on and off the field.
Long-Term Impact: Did Baseball Change?
The Gurriel-Darvish incident wasn’t the first time racism had surfaced in Major League Baseball, but it did help push the conversation forward.
Since 2017, MLB has made efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, though progress remains slow and ongoing.
Gurriel continued his career with the Astros, helping them win the World Series that year and remaining a key contributor in the seasons that followed. Darvish, for his part, continued to pitch at an elite level, earning the respect of teammates and fans alike.
The incident happened more than eight years ago, and it seems both Darvish and Gurriel have moved forward.
Though the memory of the gesture still lingers, what remains more powerful is how the players chose to handle it — with accountability, forgiveness, and a commitment to growth.
As Darvish put it, “Let’s stay positive and move forward instead of focusing on anger.”
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