Bauer has been involved in multiple internet shouting matches on Twitter over politics GETTY IMAGES
Indians P Trevor Bauer on Thursday "took to Twitter to implore his fellow players to be 'leaders politically,'" while also claiming MLB "tried to censor him on political matters," according to Mike Axisa of CBSSPORTS.com. Bauer tweeted, "Just had a meeting encouraging all players to take a stance and be leaders politically. Here's my stance. I find it disingenuous that @mlb commissioners office would encourage this when they've specifically tried to censor me for sharing my opinion on the matter. #RiseUp." Axisa noted Bauer was "not especially active on Twitter during the offseason, and he "further indicated MLB tried to censor his Twitter account" when responding to a fan's question. MLB and the MLBPA in '12 agreed to a social media policy that prohibits "racist and homophobic tweets, as well as tweets that threaten violence or otherwise harass." Bauer last February "told one Twitter user to 'quit life'" and has had "multiple internet shouting matches over politics" (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/8). SI.com's Dan Gartland noted while Bauer did not tweet much during the offseason, he "didn't have any extended Twitter absences, so it's not clear whether MLB or the Indians actually took away the keys to Bauer's account or if they simply told him to watch what he says online" (SI.com, 3/8). Bauer "wasn't blocked or suspended by Twitter," so he likely is referring to "either his team or the league telling him to stay off the site for a while" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/8).
