As Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals players held up a black cloth during the national anthem as a symbol of their unity in fighting racial and social injustice, Jarrod Dyson knelt and bowed his head.
Prior to his MLB debut as Pirates manager, Derek Shelton showed support for his starting center fielder by moving to stand alongside the 35-year-old black man from Mississippi on opening day.
As Pirates and Cardinals players hold the black cloth as a symbol of unity during the national anthem, Pirates center fielder Jarrod Dyson kneels and manager Derek Shelton moves to stand behind him before the first game. of the season at Busch Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Wdy3jkAkKb
– Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) July 24, 2020
Then the player and manager hugged each other.
United. # BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/Lw83E0m4Az
– Pirates (@Pirates) July 25, 2020
“I think the most important statements that happen are how our players act and what they say not only (Friday) but publicly and moving forward, and that is why I am very happy with our group and how they have been not only on social networks, but how they have been externally in the community, “Shelton said. That is the most important statement.
“The most important statement is not something we do opening night or do (Saturday). It is how we continue to live, how we continue to grow, how we continue to educate ourselves. So a one-night statement carries weight, but what we do to move forward as an organization and as a team, I think, is the most important thing. “
Use your platform.
Make a difference. # BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/QZvYS2vztC
– Pirates (@Pirates) July 24, 2020
Before the game, the Pirates posted a photo on Twitter revealing Black Lives Matter banners and an inverted MLB logo, with the black silhouette hanging from the left field roundabout at PNC Park.
Warmin ‘up at The Lou. # LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/UHNjHOA4tb
– Pirates (@Pirates) July 24, 2020
For batting practice, the Pirates wore black jerseys that celebrated the centennial of the Black Leagues, with the phrase, THEY PLAYED FOR US SO WE CAN ON THE BACK, and Black Lives Matter.
“It was just a sign of unity,” said Pirates right-hander Trevor Williams, who will pitch Saturday against the Cardinals. “What the boys have been doing for the anthem has been a sign of unity among (those who are) in the Players Association. That is a statement that we are making (be unified) that we are ready to take. I’m glad MLB and sports have taken the reins of the ‘stick with sports’ narrative. People use their platforms to speak. I think it’s amazing to see guys take control of their platform and take control of what they want to change. “
Both teams observed a moment of silence, followed by a video of “Be the Change” which was featured as a “special video of the player alliance and a player-led effort to show solidarity” with MLB stars they addressed. 8 Minutes and 46 Seconds from Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck and killed the black man.
Players removed their hats when a recorded message narrated by actor Morgan Freeman was heard: “Equality and unity cannot exist until there is empathy. Today and every day, we unite as equals, all with the same goal. To level the playing field, to change injustices. Equality is not just a word. It is our right. Today we meet as men from 25 nations, on six continents. Today we are one. “
Kevin Gorman is a writer for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Kevin by email at [email protected] or by Twitter.
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