In commemoration of Memorial Day, San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler, who has been refusing to enter the field during the national anthem, has indicated he may reconsider his stance on Monday. Kapler has been avoiding the field during the national anthem as a protest of last week’s school shooting in Texas.
On Friday, Kapler said that he would not stand for the national anthem in protest of the current political situation in the United States. It was said that he would continue his protest “until I feel better about the direction of our country”.
However, when asked before Sunday’s game in Cincinnati what he would do on Memorial Day when his Giants team plays in Philadelphia, Kapler appeared to be indecisive, indicating he may take the field for the anthem.
“I’m very comfortable taking it day by day,” Kapler said. “I think I’ll just decide what makes the most sense at the moment.
“Memorial Day is an important day in our country’s history and a special day and a unique day,” he said. “I find it to be one that deserves special attention,” He added.
Kapler supported by fellow managers
On Friday, Kapler addressed on his blog the tragic event on Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas, in which 19 students and two teachers lost their lives. The assault occurred precisely ten days after a gunman in Buffalo, New York, who was motivated by racial hatred, murdered 10 black people in a supermarket.
“Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I’m participating in a self-congratulatory glorification of the only country where these mass shootings take place,” Kapler wrote.
A number of managers supported the decision to stay off the field during the national anthem. Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa, however, objected to the action, saying there is a time and place for protesting against injustice, and the national anthem is not one of them.
“While I was making allowances for other opinions on all sides of the topics, I understand that opinions are wide-ranging,” said Kapler.
Chicago’s Tim Anderson enters injured list
This week, Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson entered the injured list. Anderson was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Chicago Cubs due to a right groin injury.
After fielding P.J. Higgins’ fifth-inning grounder and throwing to first base, Anderson fell to the ground in the outfield. As he was being taken off the field, he was leaning to the right side of his body.
According to La Russa, the results of an MRI that will be performed on Monday will reveal the extent of the injury.
“It’s definitely a groin issue. The severity is going to depend on the further check, but he’s going on the IL for sure,” La Russa said. “He made that spin, not sure exactly if he got his spike stuck or something. That’s typical, he goes on the IL making a great play at the time we needed it.”
Anderson has a.356 batting average, which places him among the league’s leaders.
