Atlanta Braves Organist Reminds Antigay Player We Were 'Born This Way'

The Atlanta Braves' organist delivered a pointed musical message to antigay Chicago Cubs player Daniel Murphy at last Thursday night's game.

Second baseman Murphy, who recently joined the Cubs after stints with the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals, made a famous antigay comment in 2015 when asked about working with Billy Bean, Major League Baseball's ambassador for inclusion, who is gay.

"I disagree with his lifestyle," Murphy said. "I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual. That doesn't mean I can't still invest in him and get to know him." This year he said he has become friendly with Bean, but he didn't apologize for his homophobia.

In response, Braves organist Matthew Kaminski sent a message of love and inclusion, as noted by Twitter users. When Murphy batted in the fourth inning, Kaminski played "Lola," a Kinks hit about a man dating a woman who is apparently transgender. For Murphy's at-bat in the sixth, he played "What the World Needs Now Is Love," and when the player came up in the ninth, the musical choice was Lady Gaga's "Born This Way."

What most accounts of the game didn't mention was that his song for Murphy's first at-bat, in the first inning, was "Axel F" from Beverly Hills Cop, the 1984 action movie starring Eddie Murphy. It may have been chosen because of the actor's last name, but Eddie is known for homophobic remarks too.

Murphy didn't get a hit in the game, which the Cubs nonetheless won 5-4, but it's impossible to know if that was an effect of Kaminski's performance. But Twitter lit up with praise for the organist, who is generally renowned for his witty song choices.

Kaminski was grateful.