The New York Mets were scheduled to play the Miami Marlins on Thursday night in New York. But the two teams had something else in store in light of recent events.

New York took the field, led by outfielders Dominic Smith and Billy Hamilton. The two sides then paused for a 42-second moment of silence—a nod to baseball great and trailblazer Jackie Robinson—before departing the field, leaving just a Black Lives Matter shirt on home plate (via SNY)

The gesture comes after a wave of postponements in Major League Baseball following the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin last weekend.

Mets outfielder Michael Conforto also said after the game the Mets were “united” in deciding not to play.

The coordination between the two teams is particularly apt considering Friday is the official commemoration of Robinson breaking the color barrier.

However, the buildup to this moment was somewhat muddy.

A video of Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen apparently criticizing MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred leaked earlier on Thursday afternoon.

Van Wagenen said the league office suggested the two sides orchestrate a “walk off” before returning to the field an hour later. He said Manfred “just doesn't get it,” also noting Mets players were in no way content going on with Thursday's game.

But things have only gotten murkier.

Van Wagenen has since released a statement stating it was team owner Jeff Wilpon who proposed the “walk off” idea to Manfred.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Rafael Devers in the middle, Jazz Chisholm on one side, Carlos Correa on the other side. Twins, Rockies

Jackson Roberts ·

Juan Soto in a Mets uniform, Pete Alonso in a Yankees uniform, with swap symbol between them

Jedd Pagaduan ·

Mets Dodgers prediction

Nathanial Duffett ·

It seems likely Mets players—and many around the league—would be frustrated regardless of who conceived of such a publicity stunt. Wilpon is also currently in the process of selling the team, too.

But all that deliberating will be for another time.

For now, the Mets and Marlins found a way to honor Robinson's legacy while also bringing attention to matters of racial injustice.

After leaving the field and canceling the game, Dom Smith and his teammates spoke to the press, with the former first-round pick explaining tonight's moment.