Angels pitcher Keynan Middleton took a knee and raised his right fist in the air during the national anthem before the team’s exhibition game Monday night against the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, to protest racial injustice in the United States.
Before the game today, @since93key took a knee during the playing of the National Anthem @Angels pic.twitter.com/RjzFt3wpsR
— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) July 21, 2020
“Racism is something I’ve dealt with my entire life. As a Black man in this country it is my obligation to want to better the future for generations to come,” Middleton said in a tweet on Tuesday morning. “Over the past few months I’ve been out in the community taking part in peaceful protest and having the difficult conversations that are needed for change.
“Before pioneers like Jackie Robinson, a Black man didn’t have a voice in the game of baseball. The foundation laid down and sacrifices made by Jackie and others is the reason why I have the platform I do. I will not allow that to go to waste,” Middleton continued. “Kneeling for me is one way I can use my platform for change in a peaceful way.”
✊ ❤️✊ pic.twitter.com/JlSDhd9XGV
— La llave (@since93key) July 21, 2020
After the game, manager Joe Maddon said Middleton had discussed with the team his plan to kneel, and expressed disappointment that he didn’t do it previously. The team was totally supportive of Middleton.
“He’s very passionate about his beliefs. That’s what he showed you tonight,” Maddon said via a Zoom call. “I’m very proud he stood up for his beliefs tonight. It’s not easy to do that, a young man like himself being the only one out here doing that. I’m very proud of his substance.”
Maddon said players and organizational staff have had several Zoom calls regarding Black Live Matter, kneeling during the anthem, and other social justice matters, both during and before summer camp.
“The thing I’ve encouraged all of these guys to do is speak their own truth, and that’s exactly the phrase I’ve utilized,” Maddon said. “What’s in your heart, that’s what you have to demonstrate.”
Angels coordinator of hitting analysis Ryan Parker has been a part of those Zoom meetings.
These calls have had 100+ people on them from the MLB staff and players, to some MiLB players, and some of the PD staff.
— Ryan Parker (@RA_Parker) July 21, 2020
It's been enlightening and humbling.
Proud to be in an org that is willing to have these dialogues and back our players like this. https://t.co/6UZFjncTM3