Cincinnati Reds players Joey Votto, Amir Garrett, Phillip Ervin and Alex Blandino knelt during the national anthem ahead of Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers at the Great American Ball Park.
The four players lined up along the first base line as other teammates stood beside him and showed their support. Mike Moustakas put his hand on Ervin’s shoulder. Cody Reed put his hand on Garrett’s shoulder, and Sal Romano put his hand on Blandino’s back.
Votto, Garrett, Ervin, and Moustakas were among several Reds players who wore Black Lives Matter jerseys during training camp.
The Reds players knelt the day after several members of the San Francisco Giants, including manager Gabe Kapler, knelt during the anthem before the team won the exhibition 6-2 at the Oakland Athletics. At least a dozen Giants players and staff knelt down on the field again Tuesday night at Oracle Park, including Hunter Pence and Pablo Sandoval.
On Monday, Los Angeles Angels reliever Keynan Middleton, who is black, knelt and raised his right fist during the national anthem before the Angels’ 1-0 victory over the Padres in San Diego.
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