How MLB teams, players are speaking out against racism

With protests against racism persisting, MLB players and teams lend support.

Over a week after George Floyd was murdered in broad daylight by four police officers, people have taken to the streets to take a stand against racism and police brutality in America. Since then, a number of MLB players and teams have joined protesters in solidarity, denouncing the levels of racism the United States continues to face to this day.

Now before some of you click away because you can’t stand the fact that a sportswriter would dare to speak about anything other than sports, remember that baseball is the sport most celebrated for its integration of black players with Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947.

So, you see, it is extremely relevant and important that anybody involved in the world of sports (e.g. team owners, their front offices, coaches, players, writers, etc.) take a stand when we come to a moment like the one America finds itself in right now. And that is precisely what is happening across the world of American professional sports at this moment.

Today, however, I’m only going to focus on how some MLB players (retired and active) and teams are choosing to take a stand.

Though he’s not one to typically speak out during times like these, Miami Marlins executive and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter released a statement yesterday, saying, “I hope that my children and nephews don’t have to live in a society where people are unjustly treated because of the color of their skin.” He then went on the challenge his “white friends… to participate at an active level to eradicate racism.”

We also heard from a somber Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts who spoke to Jorge Castillo of the LA Times and said, “It’s disappointing to see my generation and the one prior failing the younger generation.” Roberts added that “you always hope for progress, but that just, unfortunately, isn’t the case.”

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees tweeted “Enough is Enough” along with a video produced by Nike urging people to “Be a part of the change.”

Sean Doolittle of the Washington Nationals pulled no punches in his statement, urging Americans to “recognize our shared humanity and atone for our Original Sin.” America’s Original Sin, Doolittle says, is racism.

Here some other MLB players who made statements in the wake of these protests:

• Bryce Harper said, “I will never know what it is like to ban an African American man, woman, or child. The one thing I do know is I will always stand with them and for them.”
• Dexter Fowler urged people to stop remaining silent. He added, “now’s a good time to go out of your way to tell the world you stand by black lives.”
• Retired Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia echoed Fowler’s statements in a post that read, “no more silence.” He added in the descriptions, “your silence is killing us!!”

What’s more, as of writing this, every MLB team, some more vigorously than others, has released statements or quotes in solidarity with protesters except for one: the Texas Rangers.

It really doesn’t take courage to stand for what is right and in times like these, I’d have to agree with Mr. Fowler. Now, more than ever, it is our duty to stand by and with black lives.