Jeff Chiu
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler walks to the dugout after making a pitching change during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Francisco, Saturday, May 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
CINCINNATI (AP) — San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Friday he will refuse to take the field for the national anthem in a protest over the nation’s political direction following this week’s school shooting in Texas.
“I don’t plan on coming out for the anthem going forward until I feel better about the direction of our country,” Kapler said before a series opener at Cincinnati. “I don’t expect it to move the needle necessarily. It’s just something that I feel strongly enough about to take that step.”
Kapler said he needs more time to consider specific actions he might suggest be taken to prevent more tragedies of this type, such as stronger gun control laws.
Kapler said that on the day of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, “I knew that I was not in my best place mentally and I knew that it was in connection with some of the hypocrisies for the national anthem and how it coincided with the moment of silence and how two things didn’t synch up well for me, but I couldn’t make sense of it in real time and it took me a couple of days to pull all my thoughts together.”
Only seven Giants were on the field — two coaches in front of the dugout, four players along left-field line and an athletic trainer standing alongside them — when “The Star-Spangled Banner” was played before Kapler and Reds manager David Bell exchanged lineup cards. The game started after a 2-hour, 8-minute rain delay.
Jeff Chiu
San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler walks to the dugout after making a pitching change during the eighth inning of his team's baseball game against the New York Mets in San Francisco, Monday, May 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Earlier in the day, Kapler used his personal blog to discuss the deaths of the 19 children and two teachers killed in Uvalde.
In a post titled “Home of the Brave, ” Kapler wrote: “We elect our politicians to represent our interests. Immediately following this shooting, we were told we needed locked doors and armed teachers. We were given thoughts and prayers. We were told it could have been worse, and we just need love.
“But we weren’t given bravery, and we aren’t free. … We aren’t free when politicians decide that the lobbyist and gun industries are more important than our children’s freedom to go to school without needing bulletproof backpacks and active shooter drills.”
Kapler went on the write: “Every time I place my hand over my heart and remove my hat, I’m participating in a self congratulatory glorification of the only country where these mass shootings take place. On Wednesday, I walked out onto the field, I listened to the announcement as we honored the victims in Uvalde. I bowed my head. I stood for the national anthem. Metallica riffed on City Connect guitars. My brain said drop to a knee; my body didn’t listen. I wanted to walk back inside; instead I froze. I felt like a coward. I didn’t want to call attention to myself. I didn’t want to take away from the victims or their families. …
“But I am not OK with the state of this country. I wish I hadn’t let my discomfort compromise my integrity. I wish that I could have demonstrated what I learned from my dad, that when you’re dissatisfied with your country, you let it be known through protest.”
Kapler has protested during the anthem in the past. In July 2020, before the start of the virus-shortened 60-game season, Kapler joined outfielder Jaylin Davis in taking a knee ahead of an exhibition game against the Oakland Athletics. Davis was making a statement about racial and social issues facing the country.
Fellow outfielders Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater also chose to kneel. So did first base coach Antoan Richardson, while shortstop Brandon Crawford stood between Davis and Richardson with a hand on each man’s shoulder.
Kapler’s latest comments came a day after the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays used their social media accounts during the game between the teams to spread information about how gun violence affects American life.
___
-
-
-
-
-
Michael Wyke
Mounted Houston police officers patrol the street between the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green Park where protesters began gathering outside the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting, Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Michael Wyke
Nancy Pablo, with the Alianza Latina International, holds crosses with photos of victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting as she protests with others at Discovery Green Park across the street from the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Michael Wyke
Claudia Zapata, left, and Celia Munoz, right, both with the Alianza Latina International, hold crosses with photos of victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, as she protests with others at Discovery Green Park across the street from the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Jae C. Hong
Mounted police officers tell protesters to move back across the street from the National Rifle Association annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
People gather outside the George R. Brown Convention Center to protest the National Rifle Association's annual meeting in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
-
Jae C. Hong
Protesters yell as a member of the National Rifle Association walks past them after attending its annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
A member of the National Rifle Association and protesters exchange words outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Michael Wyke
Johnny Mata, a long time civil rights organizer in Houston, speaks during a press conference by the League of United Latin American Citizens outside of the National Rifle Association's annual meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Michael Wyke
Tejano singer Little Joe, center with microphone, with Little Joe y la Familia, speaks during a press conference by the League of United Latin American Citizens outside of the National Rifle Association's annual meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Jae C. Hong
Protesters carry crosses with photos of victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, as they demonstrate outside the George R. Brown Convention Center where the National Rifle Association's annual meeting is held in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
-
Michael Wyke
Joe Ortiz, right, and his daughter Jennifer Ortiz Prather, left, speak outside of the National Rifle Association's annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. They spent last night printing up 600 T-shirts to hand out for donations to benefit the Robb Elementary School Memorial Fund. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Jae C. Hong
Protesters chant slogans outside the George R. Brown Convention Center to protest the National Rifle Association annual meeting in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
A man walks with a sign outside the George R. Brown Convention Center to protest the National Rifle Association's annual meeting in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
Jolie Miller chats a slogan while protesting the National Rifle Association's annual meeting outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
Desmond Chen, 11, chants a slogan during a protest against the National Rifle Association's annual meeting outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
-
Jae C. Hong
A woman holds a sign during a protest against the National Rifle Association's annual meeting outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
A protester holds a sign bearing the names of this week's elementary school shooting victims during a rally against the National Rifle Association's annual meeting outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
Protesters hold up their signs condemning the National Rifle Association's annual meeting outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
A sign demanding action on gun control is seen during a protest against the National Rifle Association's annual meeting outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
A member of the National Rifle Association with two handguns walks past protesters to attend its annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
-
Michael Wyke
Protesters hold a rally at Discovery Green Park, across the street from the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Michael Wyke
Protesters hold a rally at Discovery Green Park, across the street from the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Michael Wyke
Protesters hold a rally at Discovery Green Park, across the street from the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Michael Wyke
Protesters rally at Discovery Green Park, across the street from the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Jae C. Hong
A member of the National Rifle Association plugs his ears with his fingers as he walks past protesters during the NRA's annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
-
Jae C. Hong
12-year-old Eduardo Abarca wears a T-shirt honoring the victims in this week's elementary school shooting while attending a protest against the National Rifle Association's annual meeting outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Jae C. Hong
People protest the National Rifle Association's annual meeting in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
Michael Wyke
Children hold signs and photos of the Uvalde, Texas school shooting victims during a rally at Discovery Green Park, across the street from the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Michael Wyke
A counter protester, center, is shouted down and has his megaphone taken away by rally attendees for pro-gun control efforts at Discovery Green Park, across the street from the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting held at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
-
Jae C. Hong
A member of the National Rifle Association plugs his ears with his fingers as he walks past protesters during the NRA's annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
-
-
Jae C. Hong
A member of the National Rifle Association walks with two girls past protesters outside the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Friday, May 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
