Major League Baseball is taking a stand for those who won’t.

As previously noted by RedState’s Becca Lower, players for the San Francisco Giants — including Jaylin Davis, Mike Yastrzemski, and Austin Slater — took a knee Monday night.

Two coaches, along with manager Gabe Kapler, joined in.

Members of the @SFGiants kneel during the National Anthem. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/QbvAvCZiEs

— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2020

On social media, not everyone approved, including former Giant and two-time world series champion Aubrey Huff:

I’m proud to not be invited to the @SFGiants 10 year WS reunion. I’m PRO America. @MLB #Merica 🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/qip6I8GAca

— Aubrey Huff (@aubrey_huff) July 21, 2020

About not being invited, here’s how Aubrey’s explained it:

“When I asked why I wasn’t invited, [team CEO Larry Baer] told [me] that the board didn’t approve of my Twitter posts and my political support of Donald Trump. … If it wasn’t for me, they wouldn’t be having a reunion, but if they want to stick with their politically correct, progressive bulls—, that’s fine.”

As for kneeling, many fans took a Hufflike stance:

Sports are ruined…

— Ava- I love my USA! 🇺🇸 🗽 (@WEdwarda) July 21, 2020

NOT America’s sport anymore!!! Not watching any of this crap!!!!💩💩💩

— Benito El Cid (@BenitoCid) July 21, 2020

I’m a US Military Vet, I will NOT stand by and watch my country, my flag and my fellow American Patriots be disrespected in this manner! True American Patriots stand for our flag and kneel for God Almighty!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

— Benito El Cid (@BenitoCid) July 21, 2020

Despicable. pic.twitter.com/BoLfgEtWOR

— Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) July 21, 2020

Police provided player & fan security, direct traffic before & after, etc.

Who paid for @mlb stadiums? Who paid for fields you played on as a kid with volunteers?

Disgusting, WE are offended.

Watch non-MLB linked minor leagues. Dominican’s playing in USA don’t kneel. pic.twitter.com/aa4zvPvjfj

— Paineful Thomas 🇺🇸 @PainefulThomas on Parler (@Paineful_Thomas) July 21, 2020

There goes baseball. They just dont get it. The Anthem is about America not racism.Go stay in the clubhouse but don’t disrespect the USA.

— Larry Anderson (@LarryAkcfan) July 21, 2020

With all the talk of athletics going political, one might think the league itself would stay out of the hubbub.

But MLB jumped in and told people what it’s all about:

“It has never been about the military or the flag. The players and coaches are using their platforms to peacefully protest.”

It has never been about the military or the flag. The players and coaches are using their platforms to peacefully protest.

— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2020

Better?

As observed by The Daily Wire, one user wrote, “Pllllleeeeaaaseeee stop posting things like this. Yes, black lives do indeed matter. But it’s a polarizing topic. Keep politics out of baseball!”

The league popped back:

Supporting human rights is not political.

— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2020

It was on a roll.

When another critic tweeted, “Quit bringing all this political bs into sports! You are there to play a game not to be a politician, play the game,” baseball’s professional association took another swing:

“Supporting our players and supporting equality is not political.”

Supporting our players and supporting equality is not political.

— MLB (@MLB) July 21, 2020

In terms of business, it seems to me diving into the debate is a bad play for Major League Baseball. Allowing players to kneel is a very different thing than involving itself with — whether it calls the topic such or not — political arguments online.

I’d guess it will only further a sentiment among many fans which, so far as I can tell, is essentially summed up by the following tweet (I ask that you please excuse the language, but I do believe it’s an accurate representation):

And I will peacefully quit watching baseball to protest. I was a SFGiants fan for over 50 years. I saw my first game at the 'Stick back when Will Mays and Willie McCovey were still playing.

Now I'm done. pic.twitter.com/Pa7BpRsFC1

— realmyiq2xu2 (@realmyiq2xu2) July 21, 2020

-ALEX

See more pieces from me:

Again, for the Win: Ricky Gervais Completely Demolishes Cancel Culture

Mike Pence Rides Addled Joe: He’s a ‘Trojan Horse for a Radical Agenda’

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Features Its First Transgender Model, Who ‘Embodies the Well-Rounded Woman’

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