A couple of weeks ago, Blue Jays pitcher Anthony Bass reposted an Instagram video discussing the Biblical reasons why Christians should boycott companies pushing Pride-themed content on consumers. On June 9, right before the Toronto Blue Jays’ Pride night , the team released him.

According to Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins, "Performance was a large aspect of the decision. Distraction was a small part of it and something we had to factor in.” When released, Bass had a poor but serviceable 4.95 ERA — outpacing only Zach Pop, Yimi Garcia, and starter Alek Manoah among Toronto’s pitchers. While Bass arguably has not been the worst Blue Jays pitcher, he’s certainly no star. Nevertheless, given the timing of his release — the day of Toronto’s Pride night and less than 24 hours after he was forced to publicly apologize for his Christian beliefs — it’s hard not to assume that the distraction aspect played a bigger role than Toronto claims.

Ultimately, the response to the Anthony Bass saga proves two things: First, tolerance doesn’t extend to “wrongthink.” Second, professional sports is a business, and speaking up is only safe for stars.

When former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract in 2017 and didn’t get re-signed, journalists spilled countless pages of ink lamenting how the quarterback was unfairly punished for standing up for his beliefs. Yet, now, a quick Internet search reveals page after page of journalists celebrating Bass’s release for doing the same.

Granted, these situations aren’t perfectly analogous. Kaepernick opted out while Bass was released. Additionally, Kaepernick had years of activism under his belt while Bass only posted one Instagram video and later apologized.

Because Kaepernick was a well-known quarterback while Bass is a journeyman reliever, it makes sense that Kaepernick’s plight would attract more attention than Bass’s. What doesn’t make sense, however, is the idea that sincerely-held religious beliefs are no longer tolerable in a society that claims to promote tolerance. Bass has been lambasted for sharing a belief that a majority of Americans held not even 50 years ago. If athletes speaking up is good, celebrating Bass’s release while lamenting Colin Kaepernick’s situation is hypocritical.

Still, professional sports is a business. Kaepernick graded out as a replacement-level quarterback, and Bass has a career ERA in the high 3’s. Although he’s coming off a career year in which he posted a stellar 1.54 ERA, he’s mostly been a serviceable, journeyman reliever. So it was likely the combination of his middling performance, being expendable, and Toronto’s desire for good press that resulted in his release.

For comparison, when Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Blake Treinen shared similar posts in May, they were not released. The Dodgers might care more about free speech than the Jays. However, both players likely remain Dodgers because they are not expendable. Kershaw is arguably the best pitcher of this generation. Treinen is a perennial all-star reliever and a valuable bullpen piece.

Had Anthony Bass’s name been Bo Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr., he likely would still be a Blue Jay — much like Colin Kaepernick would still be in the league if he had Tom Brady’s talent. Star players such as LeBron James risk nothing with their activism. Replaceable players such as Bass and Kaepernick risk everything.

But again, Bass’s “activism” can barely be called that. Bass only posted one video and then quickly apologized under pressure from his team’s management. Kaepernick, on the other hand, had made his preferred causes the focal point of his career — on and off the field.

If the Blue Jays released Bass because of his video and statement, they are cowards. All athletes should be able to speak openly about the values they hold dear without fear of punishment.

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Unfortunately, however, it has become clear that such rights only exist for those who hold the “right opinions,” or for those rare stars whose talents are irreplaceable.

The lesson we can learn from Bass is simple: speaking publicly on issues that certain pockets of society believe are no longer up for debate could cost you everything. And if you don’t excel at your job, sharing your opinion might cause you to lose it.

Jonathan Voos is a student at Texas A&M University School of Law and a Federalist Society representative. He has been published in the Washington Examiner, Lone Conservative, and the Austin College Acumen.