San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler is following the model of protest from Colin Kaepernick — deciding to sit out the national anthem in wake of the most recent mass shooting until Kapler can “feel better about the direction of our country.”
But Kapler’s protest comes with some of the same criticisms as Kaepernick’s and on Saturday Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa voiced his objection to Kapler’s method of protest.
“I think he’s exactly right to be concerned…with what’s happening in our country,” La Russa said, per ESPN. “He’s right there. Where I disagree is the flag and the anthem are not appropriate places to try to voice your objections.”
Kapler penned an essay after 19 children were murdered at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas where he said:
“When I was the same age as the children in Uvalde, my father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t. I don’t believe it is representing us well right now.”
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La Russa, who says he respects Kapler’s intentions, said his objections stem from his belief that the flag and anthem is a time meant to honor veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our country.
“Some of their courage comes from what the flag means to them and when they hear the anthem,” La Russa said. “You need to understand what the veterans think when they hear the anthem or see the flag. And the cost they paid and their families. And if you truly understand that, I think it’s impossible not to salute the flag and listen to the anthem.”
Other managers around baseball who were asked about Kapler’s protest but none (thus far) voiced strong objections like La Russa.
In fact, many managers were vocal in their support for Kapler. Rangers skipper Chris Woodward called Kapler “brave,” while Red Sox manager Alex Cora, a former teammate of Kapler’s and someone who has been vocal on issues outside of baseball, said he was “proud of him.”
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