DUNEDIN, Florida – New York Yankees center Aaron Hicks was eliminated from the line of play for the first game in Monday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark, following the Minneapolis riots after Daunte Wright’s shooting on Sunday night.
During press availability in advance, manager Aaron Boone said that designated striker Giancarlo Stanton was also thinking of staying out of the game, but that the slugger ended up playing on Monday night.
“With everything going on in Minneapolis, he’s going through a tough time right now,” Boone said. “I had a conversation in my office and he felt it was better not to be on the starting line tonight. And I certainly support him and we will try to join him as best we can. Obviously, the situation is heartbreaking right now in Minneapolis And I think Aaron was especially affected by that. “
“Speaks with [Giancarlo Stanton] in short, so we’ll see where that goes, “Boone added. [el entrenador de bateo] Marcus [Thames]. Many of these have been played since I’ve been here … I didn’t find out until late this morning about what happened or the news around, so I come here and try to process everything. “
Wright, a 20-year-old black man, died Sunday after a police officer shot him in the Brooklyn Center suburb during a traffic stop.
The Minnesota twins postponed Monday’s game against the Boston Red Sox after the shooting.
Hicks was the first round pick of the twins in 2008 and was the best prospect for the minor league franchise before debuting in 2013. The twins traded Hicks to the Yankees in 2015 for backup catcher John Ryan Murphy.
“[Hicks] He probably came to see me an hour ago. I think it was a difficult day for him, understandable and emotional. I think he felt it would take a long time for him to go out tonight and he probably thought it best to keep him out of the group, “Boone said. All I can do is try my best to offer this support and let you know that I am here for him and I understand how he feels. “
Hicks, Stanton, Boone and Aaron Judge were among the group of over 100 players, coaches and managers who donated part of their salaries to The Players Alliance, a group of active players and former MLB players formed to combat inequality. racial.
Stanton and Hicks were also the only two Yankees players to kneel during the national anthem early last season due to growing concerns for social justice.
Addressing any criticism of Hicks for making the decision not to play, Boone said his only concern was the well-being of his players and supporting his decision.
“I would say that Aaron suffers in a huge way and, in a way, he felt that it is probably the responsible thing to go forward knowing that it will be difficult for him to get mentally involved in what is a big risk, it is a difficult job. to go out and act. for the New York Yankees, “Boone said.” Things that happen in society and in our culture are turning into sports, and these guys, rightly, have increasingly gained a platform to express themselves. And I certainly support their right to do that. “