The Milwaukee Brewers are boycotting their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, per Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal.
https://twitter.com/jareddiamond/status/1298742004617302020
This decision follows a slew of cancellations in the NBA after the Milwaukee Bucks decided to boycott Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic. The players are reportedly meeting to discuss next steps.
The MLB has been far less adamant about advocacy than the NBA. Teams around the league showed support for Black Lives Matter on Opening Day, with some players—such as Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts—taking a knee during the national anthem.
However, there has not been as much uniformity in terms of outspokenness and action. But that might begin to change following Milwaukee's decision.
Brewers star closer Josh Hader showed extensive support for Bucks players taking a stand and making a statement:
“I think it’s an enormous stand. It’s more than sports,” Hader said, via Sophia Minnaert of FOX Sports Wisconsin. “This is a time where we need to, really, not stay quiet and show and empower our voices.”
Granted, this particular incident feels more personal to the Brewers.
Blake—who was unarmed—was shot in the back seven times by police in Kenosha over the weekend. The incident sparked days of protests, and two of these protestors were fatally wounded, resulting in the arrest and charge of a 17-year-old from Antioch, Illinois.
Will Milwaukee's actions lead to more action from other teams around the league? That remains to be seen. But the Brewers will not play on Wednesday.
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