Gabe Kapler becomes first MLB manager to kneel during national anthem

Gabe Kapler joined some of his players in kneeling during the National Anthem

New San Francisco Giants skipper Gabe Kapler has made it clear since his first day on the job that he has his players’ backs. When Buster Posey announced he wouldn’t play this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Kapler was quick to show support for his catcher’s tough decision.

On Monday night, Kapler took things one step further to show the guys in the clubhouse they can count on him no matter what. Before the first pitch against the A’s in a Spring Training tilt, multiple players decided to kneel during the anthem. Moments later, they were joined by Kapler.

Gabe Kapler is the first MLB manager to take a knee during the National Anthem

The Giants went on to win Monday’s game 6-2 over Oakland, but the talk remains about Kapler’s decision to take a knee. During his postgame presser, he made it clear he wanted to be there for his players, while also stating he’s not happy with the racism he continues to see in America.

“I wanted to share what my plans were and I did that (kneel) because I wanted them to know that I wasn’t pleased with the way our country has handled police brutality,” Kapler said via Alex Pavlovich of NBA Sports Bay Area. “I told them that I wanted to amplify their voices and I wanted to amplify the voice of the Black community and marginalized communities as well.

“I told them that I wanted to use my platform to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with the way we’ve handled racism in our country. I wanted to demonstrate my dissatisfaction with our clear systemic racism in our country.”

While it’s unclear if Kapler will continue to kneel during the regular season, he sent quite the powerful statement on Monday night.