As professional sporting events in Minnesota are postponed in the wake of Daunte Wright being shot and killed by police Sunday, Aaron Hicks has decided to sit out Monday’s game against the Blue Jays.
Aaron Boone told reporters before the game that he talked with Hicks after initially having the center fielder in the lineup, but Hicks decided it would be best to take a day off given the unrest in the Minnesota area.
“With all that’s going on in Minneapolis, he’s having a tough time right now,” Boone said. “We had a conversation in my office and he just felt like it was best to not be in the starting lineup tonight, and I certainly support that.”
Hicks was originally slotted to bat sixth, further down from his typical third spot in the order, which Boone said was more due to facing a lefty than Hicks’ current slump, but he was ultimately taken out entirely after a discussion with Boone.
“He came to me…and I think it’s just been a hard day for him understandably,” Boone said. “I think he just felt like he would have a hard time going out there tonight. All I can do is try the best I can to offer that support and let him know we’re here for him and I understand how he’s feeling.”
Hicks was drafted by the Twins in 2008 and spent the three years of his career in Minnesota before he was traded to the Yankees after the 2015 season.
“We’ll try to rally around him the best we can,” Boone said. “The situation is heartbreaking right now in Minneapolis. I think it’s hit Aaron particularly hard.”
Giancarlo Stanton was in the original lineup and batting second, though Boone said he had also discussed potentially taking the day off given the events in Minnesota.
“I talked to G briefly…we’ll see where that leads,” Boone said. “I talked to Marcus [Thames] a little bit. A lot of this has unfolded since I’ve been here…I didn’t know until late this morning about what had gone on. Just getting here and trying to process it all.”
Hicks’ decision received criticism from fans on social media, which Boone said isn’t a thought given the heaviness of what is going on in Minnesota, with protests resulting from Wright’s shooting while the trial for Derek Chauvin, accused of killing George Floyd, continues in the area as well.
“I would say that Aaron’s hurting in a huge way, and in a way felt like it was probably the responsible thing to take himself out, knowing it was going to be hard for him to be all in on a high-stakes, difficult job,” Boone said. “I don’t even give two thoughts to that. My consideration is with Aaron and his well-being…and try to be there as best we can for him.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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