LOS ANGELES – Dave Roberts and Mookie Betts were raised by parents who served in the military. A few years ago, after Colin Kaepernick knelt down to peacefully protest social injustice and police brutality towards people of color in this country, Roberts and Betts spoke out against failing to uphold the national anthem, pointing to the need to show respect for those in uniform.
On Thursday, with the season underway and Major League Baseball wrapping their arms around the Black Lives Matter movement like never before, both men demonstrated a renewed perspective on the rally.
Roberts, the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose father served 30 years in the Marine Corps, lent him his voice and said defending the anthem and protesting the systemic racism that still prevails in this country “are not mutually exclusive” .
“As I have learned,” said Roberts, “I think you are not trying to disrespect the soldiers, men and women who serve our country and risk their lives every day, including my father.”
Betts, starting his first season as the Dodgers’ right fielder, acted on it, kneeling before the first pitch against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium, less than four years after saying he would always hold his ground because his father, Willie. , served in the Vietnam War as a member of the Air Force.
“I wasn’t educated,” Betts said when asked how his perspective had changed since September 2016. “It’s my fault. I need to be educated about the situation. I know my father served and I will never disrespect the flag, but I also there must be a change in the world, and kneeling has nothing to do with those who served our country. “
Bruce Maxwell, a former receiver for the Oakland Athletics, was the only major league player to protest against racial injustice by kneeling in 2017. On Thursday, Dodgers and Giants players and coaches knelt while holding a ribbon. black in solidarity during the broadcast. from a video message written by Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen and his wife, Maria, and narrated by Morgan Freeman. The hymn continued, and Betts remained on his knees, with teammates Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger placing their hands on his shoulder as a sign of support. No other Dodger knelt, but a handful of Giants, including manager Gabe Kapler, continued to do so.
Betts went on to provoke the seventh inning of five runs that led to the Dodgers’ 8-1 victory, hitting a base hit in left field and scoring from third base on the ground to give his new team the lead before let the game open. Betts, playing a day after signing a $ 365 million extension for 12 years, said the lack of fans “helped dilute” their nerves before the game. The former MVP of the American League kept the lineup card and made sure to get the ball after his single, which represented his first and only hit of the night.
Betts said he was “looking for much more of those,” but doesn’t know if he will continue to kneel.
“I think kneeling is definitely something that shows we need a change, but I also have to put some action on the line so far from MLB,” Betts said. “That is my main goal. Today it was just to unify both parties and show that we are here for change.”
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