Joey Votto rocks Black Lives Matter shirt during batting practice

MLB players are already making their voices heard as they take the field.

Major League Baseball is finally on its way back. Just as we have seen in many other sports that have gotten underway, the diamond will feature statements from many in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, including Joey Votto.

With a black and white shirt saying, “Black Lives Matter” and nothing more, Votto made his stance very clear.

Joey Votto and other Reds players have voiced their support of the “Black Lives Matter” movement.

Earlier this month, Votto vocalized his thoughts on George Floyd’s death with an opinion editorial to The Enquirer, entitled, “My Awakening.” After reflecting on Floyd’s death and the following movement, Votto concluded with a statement evident on the field today.

"Only now am I just beginning to hear. I am awakening to their pain, and my ignorance. No longer will I be silent.#BlackLivesMatter"

Votto is not the only player to step up amid the current protests, nor is he the only one in Cincinnati to do so.

Reds pitcher Amir Garrett has taken to social media to voice his opinions and received criticism for doing so. In response, Garrett posted a powerful message that rose above the criticism, saying in part, “You don’t get to love me as an athlete and hate me as a person for what I believe in.”

Garrett and Votto have both displayed the ability for sports to act as influential platforms for political statements and many more players are likely to follow suit. While MLB players often aren’t as vocal as their NFL or NBA counterparts, in this case, it’s relatively impossible to stay silent as the country