Take Them Out: A gay Yankee tell-all?

File this one under scandal-mongering: notably defamed former Yankees club employee Paul Priore, who unsuccessfully attempted to sue the team for firing him on the basis of his sexual orientation, is publishing a tell-all book in which he details the gay goings-on in the celebrated team's locker room.

According to PinkNewsUk:

"Priore alleged a full-blown relationship with outfielder Ruben Rivera in which the two men would have sexual relations in the locker room.

Rivera was later "voted off" the team by the other players when it came to light that he had stolen a bat and glove belonging to All-Star player Derek Jeter and sold the items to a sports memorabilia dealer.

He was removed from the team and later apologised for his actions.

Priore also recalled walking in on Jeter and current starting catcher Jorge Padosa [sic] in the steam room together before the three men went to a Mariah Carey concert.

Priore claimed they were engaged in sexual conduct and later in the evening asked Priore if he wanted to join in.

The story was like one straight out of a gay erotica novel and didn't seem to quite match up with the facts of the case."

Amen on that last part -- this all sounds a bit suspect and there's really no way to prove any of these allegations. (The real incriminating piece of evidence is the Mariah Carey concert: if they can prove the guys were there, they are obviously TOTALLY gay. Either that or Jeter was dating Carey at the time. Which he probably was.) But the team players did admit to calling Priore a "faggot" on multiple occasions, but insisted it was all in good fun. Right -- nothing says "team!" like degrading one of your own.

By sharp contrast to apparent continuing homophobia issues in America's Pastime, the Football Association (that's soccer to us Yanks) recently announced that they'd like to have homophobia liaison officers in every club to help combat discrimination and anti-gay goings-on.