Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR550.com - Brian Koziol) - The Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox were among the professional sports games postponed on Thursday night as part of the players efforts to recognize the events surrounding the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin earlier this week.
The Blue Jays met as a team at Sahlen Field in the afternoon and decided that they were going to play on Thursday night. However, Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Red Sox decided to individually opt out from playing. That led to the entire Red Sox team, in wanting to support him, decide to not play. The Blue Jays, in turn, wanted to respect the Red Sox decision and then also decided to not play the series finale.
Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo spoke to the media after the official postponement announcement and said that he supports the players decision. Montoyo also said that he supports the players decision in general to be vocal and speak out using their platform to help voice their opinions on social matters. He reflected on his time as a player, talking about how they essentially had less of a voice, less of a platform, and sometimes was discouraged from speaking out on social issues. As his time as a manager, Montoyo said he has been a victim of racism while managing. He said while coaching third-base at a ballpark he heard “hey Mexican, go home.”
While there has not been an official make up date announced yet, Montoyo believes it will be made up as a part of a doubleheader at Fenway Park in Boston when the two teams meet again in September.
When asked about playing on Friday night in Buffalo against Baltimore, he said he believes that the game will be played and that he’s received no indication from anyone at this point that it wouldn’t.