The Houston Astros and Oakland A’s stand for the national anthem and later walked off the field to an empty stadium at Minute Maid Park on Jackie Robinson day postponing Friday night’s game in recognition of Black Lives Matter, shooting victim Jacob Blake and racial injustice in America (@Athletics photo)

A’s Astros Walk Off Field In Solidarity Against Racial Injustice

By Barbara Mason

The players took the field and nothing seemed amiss. The players stood along the field on either side to honor the National Anthem. They removed their hats because they love this country and wanted to honor it.

Again nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It was at this point that the players solemnly and silently walked single file off the field. A Black Lives Matter shirt was placed on home plate with an Astro jersey alongside on the right and an A’s jersey on the left side It was a simple yet powerful symbol as was the way they walked off the field.

This was two teams that a short three weeks ago were slugging it out over Ramon Laureano being hit twice in the game. Now they were living in unity and supporting a cause that many of us, black, white , or brown are deeply involved in.

They are not alone. The NBA, NHL, WNBA, NFL, MLS, and now MLB have joined forces voicing their disgust of the latest police shooting of an unarmed black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I need to say his name.

Jacob Blake is his name and he is now paralyzed for life, short of a miracle. Unbelievably shot in the back seven times we now have another horrendous video that is emblazoned into our minds. How can any caring human being watch this and tolerate this is unconscionable.

The White House will not address the reasons that are behind all of the demonstrating, the looting and the damage. Donald Trump is a whistle blower of hate; he thrives on this. People are mentally exhausted because of the racial unrest.

I believe that a lot more eyes have been opened lately throughout this nation. People are on the streets because they are tired of the non-action in the federal government. People at the top are ignoring this; they are not hearing and instead have used this to further their racist cause.

Doc Rivers head coach of the Clippers was clearly distraught with the state of this nation. “Why do we keep loving this country and the country doesn’t love us back. We’ve got to do better,” he said. He is not alone in his thoughts.

We do need to do better and we are not. Not much has really changed since we watched George Floyd die in Minneapolis Minnesota on May 25th. Yes the streets are filled with peaceful protestors but until they clean out this White House it will fall on deaf ears because the federal government simply does not care.

Now we have athletes like the Oakland A’’s and the Houston Astros stepping unto the political stage making a stand for racial justice because we have a hate-filled government. The NBA started a real movement that has crossed into every facet of the sports world. MLB is predominately white (only 6% are black) as is the MLS and the NHL yet they stand with the NBA and WNBA and also the NFL.

It is sad that racial injustice now lies on the shoulder of athletes. This is not their job but they do realize the power that they command. I believe that every player in every sport should speak to all their fans and urge all of them to vote and take the measures that need to be taken to cure the epidemic that has infiltrated this country.

Although as I said this is not their job the voice they have will reach far and wide. So be warned—if you believe in this government, you support racism, white supremacy, the KKK and QAnon. I am not saying that you are those things but you support them. Years ago we would have never seen an uprising of this magnitude but it is here now and it will not be silenced.

The Oakland A’s will be back on the field with heavy hearts to take on the Houston Astros in a double header Saturday. The first game will be played at 1:10 and the second at 4:10. We will continue to support the sports world in their endeavor to achieve racial justice and the belief that Black Lives Matter.

La Stella comes to A’s from Angels in trade: The Los Angeles Angels traded Tommy La Stella to the Oakland A’s for Franklin Barreto both play second base. La Stella is hitting .273, 27 hits, 4 homers, and 14 RBIs and Barreto scored five runs and is batting 0.00 for the season.

Starting pitchers for Saturday’s doubleheader: In the front game for the A’s Chris Bassitt (2-1 ERA 2.97) and for the Astros Lance McCullers Jr (2-2 ERA 5.74) and in the night cap for the A’s Frankie Montas (2-2 ERA 5.22) and for the Astros Zack Greinke (1-0 ERA 2.29)