It is not yet clear if someone in a New York baseball uniform will kneel during the prelude to the national anthem.
However, what is now clear is the support of Aaron Judge for anyone who wants to do it.
“That’s the nice thing about America, it’s freedom of speech,” said Judge on Tuesday after the Yankees had trained at Yankee Stadium. “The freedom to express yourself. We have a special platform for athletes. And to be able to speak and speak our mind [to] What’s going on in this world And some people express it online. Some people put it in words. Some people kneel down and do what they have to do.
“But I think whatever we are trying to convey here, we want to express unity and that we are all there together. I think that’s the biggest message we’re going to try to get from here. We are all in the same boat. Try to have those uncomfortable conversations that we have to have. Bring up these uncomfortable topics of conversation. But no matter what happens, we are there together. “
On Monday night in Oakland, managers Gabe Kapler, coach Antoan Richardson and outfielder Jaylin Davis were among the Giants kneeling during the anthem. Angels pitcher Kenyan Middleton played in San Diego that same Monday. Several Reds players, including all-star Joey Votto, were also kneeling on Tuesday night during the anthem.
“We haven’t discussed it as a team yet,” said Judge. “It is quite difficult to meet in an area with all the rules and regulations that are 6 feet apart, but we will definitely discuss it by Thursday [when the Yankees open the season in Washington]. ”
While baseball was being closed due to the corona virus, Judge participated in a video in which many African American ball players supported the Black Lives Matter movement.
Judge’s Yankees teammate, Luke Voit, asked about those who were kneeling and said, “Obviously, this is a discussion that has been going on for a long time with everything that is going on. But I respect it. It’s a constant conversation that we as players have to have. We all have one voice. And we have to step up because this country was in a strange place. But then I’m also … my brother is in the military, I also want to honor those who sacrificed their lives. And I want to honor my brother too. So it’s a little bit different, but I understand. We need change, and I hope that it will make a difference that can improve this world. “
Judge and Voit manager Aaron Boone reaffirmed his green light for each of his players who would like to trade early in the season. No Yankees played abnormally during the team’s three exhibition games in New York City.
“What I would say is that I support that,” Boone said over his knees. “There are many different ways to express yourself in this country, and that’s one of the beauties of it. So I respect how someone wants to demonstrate, whether for protest or solidarity, for whatever reason – I have no problem with that. I support that. And if that gets in the way of us as an association, I stand behind the one who in one way or another has a strong feeling for it. “We talked a little bit about it, yes. We’ll talk a little bit more about things planned for the opening day and beyond when we meet [Wednesday] again and meet you in DC so we’ll see where it goes. “
The Mets’ Dom Smith, who has spoken eloquently about racial relations particularly since George Floyd’s death in May, expressed his appreciation for those who took this stance. He added: “I didn’t really think about kneeling because I do so much in the community to show change. I just didn’t really think about taking a knee or not. Anyone know what i could do? But I think kneeling is good just to show support for us and for us as a community. “
Smith is proud to spend time with teenagers from South Central Los Angeles, where he grew up.
“It is much, much more effective and powerful when you actually spend time with the children and inspire them,” he said.
Smith’s teammate Jacob deGrom said, “Frankly, we didn’t really talk about it [kneeling] too much. It is everyone’s choice what to do. I respect their decisions about what they want to do. I think that’s the beauty of this country. You can make decisions. “
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