What Yankees’ Aaron Judge thinks about kneeling during anthem

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It’s not clear yet whether someone in a New York baseball uniform will kneel during the pregame playing of the national anthem. What stands clear right now, however, is Aaron Judge’s support of anyone who wants to do that. “That’s the beauty of America, is freedom of speech,” Judge said Tuesday after the Yankees completed …

It’s not clear yet whether someone in a New York baseball uniform will kneel during the pregame playing of the national anthem.

What stands clear right now, however, is Aaron Judge’s support of anyone who wants to do that.

“That’s the beauty of America, is freedom of speech,” Judge said Tuesday after the Yankees completed a workout at Yankee Stadium. “The freedom to express yourself. We’ve got a special platform being athletes. And being able to speak our mind and speak [to] what’s going on in this world. And some people express it online. Some people express it with words. Some people kneel, do what they need to do.

“But I think whatever message that we try to give out here is, we want to express unity and that we’re all in this together. I think that’s the biggest message that we’re going to try to get across from here. We’re all in this together. Try to have those uncomfortable conversations that we need to have. Bring up those uncomfortable talking points. But no matter what happens, we’re in this together.”

On Monday night in Oakland, manager Gabe Kapler, coach Antoan Richardson and outfielder Jaylin Davis were among the Giants who knelt during the anthem. Angels pitcher Kenyan Middleton did the same Monday in San Diego. Tuesday night, several Reds players, including All-Star Joey Votto, also took a knee during the anthem.

“We haven’t discussed it yet as a team,” Judge said. “It’s kind of tough to meet in one area with all of the rules and regulations, meeting 6 feet apart, but we’ll definitely discuss it going into Thursday [when the Yankees open the season in Washington].”

While baseball was shut down due to the coronavirus, Judge participated in a video, which featured many African-American ballplayers, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

Judge’s Yankees teammate Luke Voit, asked about those who knelt, said, “Obviously, this is a discussion that’s been going on for a long time with everything going on. But I respect them. It’s an ongoing conversation that we have to have as players. We all have a voice. And we need to step up because this country’s been in a weird place. But then I also … my brother’s in the military, I want to honor those that have sacrificed their lives, too. And I want to honor my brother, too. So it’s a little different, but I get it. We need change, and I hope it’s doing something that can better this world.”

Judge’s and Voit’s manager, Aaron Boone, reiterated his green light for any of his players who choose to act once the season starts. No Yankees acted out of the ordinary during the team’s three exhibition games in New York City.

“What I would say to that is, I’m supportive of that,” Boone said of the kneeling. “This country allows you to express yourself in many different ways and that’s one of the beauties of it. So I respect how anyone wants to demonstrate, whether it’s in protest or it’s in solidarity, whatever the reasons may be — I have no issue with that. I support that. And if that comes our way as a club, I’ll stand behind whoever has a strong feeling about it one way or the other.“We’ve talked a little bit about it, yes. We’ll talk a little bit more about things that are planned for Opening Day and beyond when we get together [Wednesday] again and meet in D.C. So we’ll see where it leads.”

The Mets’ Dom Smith, who has spoken eloquently about race relations particularly since the death of George Floyd in May, voiced his appreciation for those who have taken this stance. He added, “I haven’t really thought about kneeling, because I do so much in the community to show change. I just haven’t really thought about taking a knee or not. Who knows what I might do? But I think taking a knee is good to just show the support for us and us as a community.”

Smith takes pride, he said, in spending time with youngsters from South Central Los Angeles, where he grew up.

“It’s way, way more impactful and powerful when you actually are there spending quality of time with the kids and inspiring the kids,” he said.

Smith’s teammate Jacob deGrom said, “Honestly, we haven’t really talked about [kneeling] too much. It’s everybody’s choice what they do. I respect their decisions, what they decide to do. I think that’s the beauty of this country. You’re allowed to make choices.”