First MLB player to kneel during national anthem applauds Giants, Gabe Kapler for shining light on injustice

Bruce Maxwell, on a hike Monday evening in San Diego, looked at the Twitter notification shown by his agent, did a double-take, and broke into a slow, expansive grin.

Then, he tried not to cry.

“There was a lot of joy in my heart honestly, there was a lot of relief," Maxwell told USA TODAY Sports, “and there was a lot of emotion.

“Just seeing the spreading of awareness, that people are seeing the injustice of humanity in our country, and for people now standing up to it, that was so joyous for me.’’

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler and several Giants players and staff, became the first members of a Major League Baseball team to kneel during the national anthem since Maxwell in September 2017.

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“If I was there, I would give Kapler a big hug, shake his hand, and tell him I’m honored to be next to him," Maxwell said. “That was a big step. For somebody in that position, to put his title aside, to make himself vulnerable in that situation and stand for what is right, is big for humanity.

“It’s nothing to do with the flag, not the military, it’s a message standing up for the right cause.’’

Kapler is not only the first MLB manager to kneel during the national anthem, but he also is believed to be the first head coach in any of the four major North American sports leagues to protest racial injustice in that manner.

Kapler, in his first year as Giants manager, had been outspoken on racial injustice and Black Lives Matter since George Floyd was killed in May. He had spoken to his players and staff members for the past three days, even reaching out to other organizations, and Monday informed his players that he intended to kneel before the game. He told them he would support their decision to kneel or stand for the anthem.

“I wanted them to know that I wasn’t pleased with the way our country has handled police brutality," Kapler said during his postgame press conference. “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.

“And so I told them I wanted to use my platform to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with the way we’ve handled racism in our country. I wanted to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with our clear systemic racism in our country.

“I wanted them to know they’ve got to make their own decisions. And we would respect and support those decisions. I wanted them to feel safe in speaking up. We’ve had these discussions the last several days and we will continue to have them."

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Kapler wouldn’t reveal if he would continue to kneel, or if there will be additional players kneeling in the future. The Giants who knelt, on the same field as Maxwell three years ago, were outfielders Jaylin Davis, Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater, and first base coach Antoan Richardson.

“Our coaching staff and our organization told them we would support any statement they wanted to make," Kapler said. “If they kneel for the anthem, we would support that. If they stood for the anthem, we would support that, too. And we wouldn’t pass judgement on them for making any statement or standing up for what they believe in, or expressing themselves."

No Giants’ players were made available on a zoom call after the game because of time constraints needing to leave the Coliseum one hour after the game, but Giants outfielder Austin Slater released a statement.

“I’ve been taking time to educate myself over the past month about social injustice towards people of color in this country,’’ Slater said. “Simply put, things need to change. Every person, no matter their skin color, have the fundamental right to expect the same experiences and treatment free from prejudices in this country and around the world.

“I respect and am thankful to all that are serving and have served. I mean no disrespect or am trying to belittle their sacrifice. When I reflectd on my life and my experiences I was unaware of the privilege and safety that came with the color of my skin. I strongly believe change needs to happen and believe this is the proper way to demonstrate my beliefs on the subject.’’

Giants starter Kevin Gausman also confirmed Kapler’s message to the team in an interview during the game.

“He said it’s everybody’s option,” Gausman said. “His biggest thing is whatever side you’re on, whether you decide to stand or kneel for whatever reason, that he was going to stand by us. I think that’s important right now.”

The Giants won’t be the only team protesting the racial injustices in this country. There will be other teams kneeling and displaying their beliefs with the season starting Thursday.

Angels pitcher Keynan Middleton took a knee and raised his fist during the playing of the anthem before Los Angeles' exhibition game Monday against San Diego.

The Padres, led by rookie Taylor Trammell, are expected to stand for the national anthem but with their hands behind their back. Cleveland has been standing with their arms on each other’s shoulders for the past two exhibition games. 

“I don’t really know what to expect when the season starts," Maxwell said. “I don’t expect anybody to kneel if they don’t believe in their heart it’s the right thing to do. If two people do it, great. If 100 people do it even better.

“People have different feelings on it now.’’

Maxwell has spent the past two years playing for the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. Their season was canceled earlier this month because of COVID-19.

“The reaction from the fans and the death threats to his family was just too much to handle," said Lonnie Murray, Maxwell’s agent, of Maxwell's protest in 2017. "He was just not equipped for that.’’

Said Maxwell: “I didn’t have anybody to help me. I was by myself, dealing with threats every day.’’

Now, players are speaking out. White players like three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw have been outspoken about Black Lives Matter. MLB even tweeted a 13-second video clip of the Giants kneeling with the hashtag: #BlackLivesMatter.

“I think it will be amazing for the cause," Maxwell said. “It’s the message. There’s growing unity in our sport that we’re a community, and we fight for everybody."

And just in case anyone wondered how the Giants’ management felt, Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations, sent out a statement after the game.

“We’re proud of our players and staff for continuing to participate in the national conversation about racial injustice. We support those who knelt to peacefully protest racial injustice and those who stood to express love of country. We do not see these as mutually exclusive sentiments and believe the freedom to express both is what our country is about. As an organization we reaffirm our denouncement of acts of discrimination and violence against the members of the Black community and our pledge to work together with those who seek to end racial injustice in America.’’

The Giants sent a message that reverberated throughout baseball.

“I think tonight was a good start," Kapler said. “I’m extremely proud of our players and staff for making both decisions. Everyone in our clubhouse, on the field, and in this ballpark was very thoughtful of their choice.

“And I’m proud of that."

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