MLB players protest racial
inequality at season opener
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[July 24, 2020]
The Washington Nationals and New
York Yankees, who kicked off the COVID-19 shortened season in the
nation's capital, also held a 200-yard band of black fabric to
support the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.
All of the players then stood during the playing of the anthem.
In Los Angeles, the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants mostly followed
the same playbook though both clubs continued to kneel during the
anthem.
Athletes from around the world have united in solidarity behind
anti-racism protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in police
custody in Minneapolis.
MLB said it would allow players to wear 'Black Lives Matter' batting
practice t-shirts, patches that say 'Black Lives Matter' or 'United
For Change' on their sleeves, and a wristband featuring an inverted
MLB logo where the silhouetted batter is black.
MLB posted the message "United as one" on its Twitter account along
with a photo of the Giants' Alyssa Nakken, the first woman on-field
coach in league history, wearing a 'Black Lives Matter' t-shirt.
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Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) kneels with teammates during
a Black Lives Matter display of support prior to their game against
the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff
Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The league has also lifted its restrictions on cleats for the 2020
season, giving players the freedom to express opinions related to
social justice on their footwear.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles and Frank Pingue in
Toronto; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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