The MLB players making up The Players Alliance will be donating their game salaries from Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 (Jackie Robinson Day) in an effort to “combat racial inequality and aid the Black families and communities deeply affected in the wake of recent events” (via their Instagram page).
The Players Alliance is made up of over 100 current and former Black players, who are taking with Friday being the commemoration of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZ9LZkgyy_/?igshid=qn0wb48jq4h3
Houston Astros special assistant Kevin Goldstein also announced he would be donating his daily salary to The Players Alliance, challenging others to do the same.
Kevin is a special assistant to the GM for the Houston Astros. https://t.co/T6WoGcQDg2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 27, 2020
The news comes in the wake of additional postponements on Thursday following a trio of postponed games on Wednesday in response to the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Four games have already been postponed as of 5 p.m. ET, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Following a day in which three MLB games were postponed, at least four games will not be played tonight:
– Red Sox-Blue Jays
– Twins-Tigers
– Phillies-Nationals
– Rangers-A's https://t.co/7ovJV6KM3Q— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 27, 2020
Some players, including St. Louis Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty, were disappointed the MLB did not take action to postpone all games on Thursday.
Flaherty said on Twitter he felt the league should have displayed more unity.
why is it so hard to do something unified for 1 day
just 1 day— Jack Flaherty (@Jack9Flaherty) August 27, 2020
Other MLB players were just as emphatic on Wednesday night. Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had strong words for the lack of government action (via Bleacher Report).
"S–t doesn't change. And it's just the fact of the matter. Politicians really don't give a f–k about us. All they care about is their own agenda."
– Cubs' Anthony Rizzo pic.twitter.com/oyklz30bAf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 27, 2020
Meanwhile, New York Mets first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith—who knelt during the national anthem before the game yesterday—was visibly emotional as he spoke to reporters after his team’s win against the Miami Marlins.
"I like to just give my time…I didn't grow up with money so that s*** doesn't mean nothing to me…if you give your time, that's the only way we can change"
– Dom Smith on what he wants to see in and around Major League Baseball pic.twitter.com/sSr21D21xJ
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 27, 2020
Less than ten percent of MLB’s player population consists of Black players, and there is a long way to go in achieving more understanding and equity on behalf of these players.
However, there appears to be more mobilization than there has been throughout with respect to social justice issues.
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