(Field Level Media) The San Francisco Giants’ Gabe Kapler became the first major league manager to kneel during the national anthem, joining a number of his players in the action before a Monday night road exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics.
According to multiple media reports, other Giants who took a knee were outfielders Austin Slater, Jaylin Davis and Mike Yastrzemski as well as first base coach Antoan Richardson.
Kapler has been an outspoken backer of the Black Lives Matter movement, but he did not publicly announce his intention of kneeling on Monday.
After the game, Kapler said, “I spoke to the group (pregame) today, and I gave them essentially two messages. The first message was that our coaching staff and our organization would support any statement that they wanted to make. If they kneeled for the anthem, we would support that. If they stood for the anthem, we would support that, too. We wouldn’t pass judgment on them for making any statement or standing up for what they believe in or expressing themselves.
“The second message I wanted to share was what my plans were. I did that because I wanted them to know that I wasn’t pleased with the way our country has handled police brutality, and I told them that I wanted to amplify their voices and I wanted to amplify the voice of the Black community and marginalized communities as well.”
In online posts, Kapler has decried discrimination including racism and sexism. He wrote, “The number one thing I can do right now is carefully listen to Black people. I can hear their stories, their experiences and their pain. I can ask follow-up questions. I can use my platform and my voice to amplify theirs. The follow-up step is to encourage and have the difficult conversation in the clubhouse.”
Kapler, 44, is entering his first season as the Giants’ manager. He managed the Philadelphia Phillies the past two years, producing an overall 161-163 record.
