MLB 2020: Mookie Betts kneels during National Anthem, emotional fans say they're 'printing and framing this'
The Major League Baseball kicked off with a pair of games on July 23, conveying a poignant message. The New York Yankees first squared off against the Washington Nationals followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. Both contests saw players from either team protesting racial inequality and expressing their support for the Black Lives Moment. Dodgers star Mookie Betts, who signed a 12-year, $365M extension on July 22, played his first game with the Dodgers. Prior to the night's opener at Dodger Stadium, Betts joined players from the rival team in taking a knee during the National Anthem, becoming the lone member of the Dodgers to do so.
Like the Yankees-National game earlier in the night, all the players and coaches from both the teams took a knee during the National Anthem and held a 200-yard black cloth that wrapped around the field. They stood in solidarity during a moment of silence, that was followed by a public service announcement video featuring Morgan Freeman as the narrator. Several of the players and coaches remained kneeling alongside Betts, who was flanked by teammates Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger with their hands on his shoulders as a show of support. Betts also received support over Twitter from numerous fans who praised him for his act. Alex Cora, his former manager was also among those who lent him their support.
Fans think this will be an enduring image to represent this year's Major League Baseball season. "Proud of you @mookiebetts. Nunca combines," said Cora over a tweet. "Choked me the hell up. Miss you Mookie," a Boston Red Sox fan wrote. Prior to signing with the LA Dodgers, Betts played MLB for the Red Sox. "I like the Giants a lot more now," another fan quipped. "I’m printing and framing this," wrote one fan, while another said, "Mookie is the best." One fan quipped, "It’s so important he’s an LA DODGER!!"
The Giants had at least eight players besides Kapler, who remained kneeling during the anthem, including Mike Yastrzemski, Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence. They have been at the forefront of MLB's demonstrations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Mike Yastrzemski, Austin Slater, Jaylin Davis and Antoan Richardson as well as Kapler took a knee before the exhibition game on July 20 against the Oakland Athletics. MLB's opening weekend also has other demonstrations planned. All four teams playing the season opener were also seen donning Black Lives Matter t-shirts during batting practice before their respective games commenced.
While fans were moved by Betts' actions, they were particularly disappointed by Muncy and Bellinger, who only had their hands on their teammate's shoulder. "EVERY player in the Yankees Nats game kneeled. IMHO Mookie should have been joined by teammates. Just my opinion that silence in the face of injustice is unacceptable," a fan commented. "I wish they were kneeling too, but still a powerful photo and moment," another expressed. "I genuinely don’t understand this. What’s the significance of standing while holding his shoulder?" a fan questioned as another opined, "Cody and Max kind of support Black Lives Matter... but not enough to take a knee?"