Giants' Gabe Kapler responds to President Trump: 'Nothing more patriotic than peaceful protests'

[highplainsdem]

Source: USA Today

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler had no interest answering fan and media critics Tuesday, but was fearless responding to the president of the United States.

After President Donald Trump tweeted that he wouldn’t watch games if players kneeled during the anthem, following Kapler and nearly 10 of his coaches and players kneeling during the national anthem Monday, Kapler issued a strong retort to the president.

“My response is I don’t see it as disrespect at all,’’ he said. “I see nothing more American than standing up for what you believe in. I see nothing more patriotic than peaceful protests when things are frustrating and upsetting.

“And finally, there’s nobody that should make us stop doing the right thing. It doesn’t matter what leader says that they’re not going to be following a game. What matters the most is that we’re unwavering in trying to do what’s right.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/giants/2020/07/21/giants-manager-gabe-kapler-responds-president-donald-trump-criticisms/5483937002/

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[Mr.Bill]

1. I live over 100 miles from whare the Giants play,

and it's pretty expensive to go to a game. But I used to go to two or three games a year until a few years ago. I just got tired of spending a half hour or so before every game being asked to stand, cheer and otherwise worship the military and the police. And then be asked to stand after the 7th inning while they play God Bless America as if it was the national anthem or something. Enough! I just want to see a damn baseball game, okay?

[RockRaven]

4. Another thing which turned me off a bit about the SF Giants stadium experience was the

intrusive corporate sponsorship shit. That giant Coke bottle and the signage on the outfield fence were tacky and obtrusive as fuck. When the stadium was new, and compared to Candlestick... well, that was a tolerable toll to be paid... but over time....

I haven't been there in a few years...

If it weren't for that, and the cynical patriotism and opportunistic jingoism -- which to be fair is a league-wide thing, afaik -- that stadium was be a really good place to watch a baseball game. The basic structure of the stadium is pretty good from a fan-viewership perspective.

In general, anyway. One of the most physically uncomfortable experiences I can remember, ever, was a mid-summer night game sitting in the right field bleachers -- despite wearing heavy shoes, jeans, and 5 upper layers. I've climbed 5K+ meter mountains and lived through several inland-New England winters while experiencing less cold-discomfort than that night... It's almost occultishly unnatural.

[Mr.Bill]

8. Well, some of that advertising and tackiness

along with the corporate name on the park goes along with the place being built without taxpayer money, and I applaud them for that.

[MontanaMama]

5. The God Bless America thing is super annoying.

Seems most mlb teams play it at the 7th inning stretch since 9/11. It’s baseball damn it...the stretch is for Take Me Out To The Ballgame or bust. The stretch is for hugging and toasting and being happy to be at a baseball game for Pete’s sake. I hate the god bless America trend...it’s depressing and reminds me of sad times.

[Mr.Bill]

6. The song it's self is bad enough for an Atheist like me

but to add insult to injury they play the Kate Smith version of it.

[MontanaMama]

7. I'm a Cubs fan.

Thankfully the 7th inning stretch is sacred with no Gawd Bless ‘Murica.

[Progressive Jones]

9. True Dat, but the Ricketts crew has done a number on the old charms of Wrigley. nt

[MontanaMama]

15. I can't disagree with that. Eom.

[Gore1FL]

10. I hope they get the fuck over God Bless America.

That was cute after 9/11

Not so much in the 19 years following.

[Jimbo S]

16. A few years ago

I posted my experience concerning the seventh-inning stretch/GBA and a Trumper. Fortunately here in Milwaukee it is only done during Sunday games. My understanding some parks do it every game.

[MontanaMama]

17. Some of them definitely play it every game.

I watch a lot of baseball and it is most games that I see that play GBA during the stretch. It feels like church instead of a party and it sucks.

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. Applause

[SaveOurDemocracy]

3. Phillies fans were glad to see him go, but I very much like this.

[BumRushDaShow]

13. You got that right!

But good to see him take a knee to take a stand.

[oswaldactedalone]

11. Thank you, Mr. Kapler

Well said.

[ronatchig]

12. Always a Reds fan but

I'll be pulling for the Giants ,too. Well said, Mr. Kapler.!

[SallyHemmings]

14. As a life long Phillies Phan Kapler, the coach drove me nuts,

However, I respect Kapler the Patriot taking a stand.