Joe Girardi was already ready at Nationals Park on Thursday afternoon to try to win a fourth straight game later that night when his phone rang.
Rhys Hoskins, the Phillies player’s representative, was on the other end.
After a 40-minute meeting back at the team hotel, the Phillies players had concluded that they would not play Thursday night’s game against the Washington Nationals.
There was too much going on in the real world, too much that happened in that multicultural place that is a baseball club building, too much that on this one night would take precedence over a ball game.
Girardi listened to what Hoskins had to say and told him:
“I have your back.”
At the command of the Phillies players, the game was officially postponed.
A dozen other teams followed suit and another six games of Thursday’s slot were postponed.
The Phillies will return to work on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves. The Nationals will play Friday night in Boston.
Friday is Jackie Robinson Day.
“Jackie wants us to play tomorrow,” said Nationals manager Dave Martinez. “He brought unity into this game.”
The collective decision by Phillies players was all about unity. Every player is aware of the issues that grip the country – racial injustice and the desire to bring about social change.
Some of the Phillies players who are most passionate about these issues organized a meeting only for players in the team hotel after lunch Thursday, not long before the buses had to head to the ballpark. Players spoke for 30 minutes. It was passionate. Some players became emotional.
“There were a few guys who were uncomfortable about playing,” Hoskins said. “We met as players to discuss it. We wanted to make sure that whatever we decided we were going to do together, do it as one.
“It’s hard to see and hear that some of these guys are talking about things that I never had, that have never been on my radar, that affect everyday strong black men.
“We’re all human. What players want is, of course, change. Even if these are baby steps to change, it feels like profit. That change starts with these conversations.”
Phillies’ decision not to play was made independent of the Nationals.
Girardi reached out to Martinez at about 2:15 p.m. with the news.
In the wake of MLB and NBA draft on Wednesday, Martinez thought there might be something at work on Thursday and he intended to measure the feelings of his players when they arrived. Girardi’s phone call struck him.
“Joe told me he supports his players and I told him I support his organization and players because this is a fraternity,” Martinez said. “We are beating heads on the field, but it is important that we stand together here.
“Things need to change. There is uncertainty in this world and it needs to be resolved. It needs to start now.”
Girardi agreed and said there should be more love in the world. He said players had a platform to spread that message.
“As a pro athlete, you have a voice and that voice can be heard all over the world,” he said. “They hope to achieve change.”
The Players Alliance, a group of mostly African-American players and former players dedicated to racial rights and social change, announced that players in their organization would be paid two days’ pay for causes that promote social change.
Hoskins was asked if the entire Phillies grid planned any similarities.
“We’ll talk about something,” he said. “Hopefully in the next few days we will see some ideas come up.”
Girardi appeared side by side with Martinez at the socially distant new conference.
Hoskins appeared side by side with Josh Harrison, a Nationals player and an African-American.
It’s not every day that you see staff from different teams together on a stage.
This was a remarkable day.
“It’s a symbol of unity and love,” Hoskins said at the joint press conference. “It’s a brotherhood. We’ll fight with each other and for each other.”
