For Life — Baseball Bench Coach

In light of the tragic killing of 19 students and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced that he would remain in the clubhouse during the National Anthem to protest “the lack of delivery of the promise of what our national anthem represents”. My thoughts immediately turned to my late Dad. He taught me more than the game of baseball on our trips together to Crosley Field in Cincinnati when I was a little boy. Dad taught me much about life. He taught me to stand proudly, take off my baseball cap, and put my hand across my heart during the “Star Spangled Banner” before each game. You see, my Dad was a very proud World War II Navy veteran. It was a teaching moment of respect for the country he served and loved, and the life he had given me. I wonder what my Dad might be thinking now.

The Star-Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key and inspired by an American flag flying above Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, was first recognized for official use by the U.S. Navy in 1899. The 1918 World Series between the Cubs and the Red Sox introduced the banner to baseball. The Navy band attended Game 1 in Chicago and began to play the song during the seventh inning stretch. Boston infielder Fred Thomas, a midshipman on furlough from the Navy just to play in the Series, saluted the flag flying over the park. The Chicago Tribune reported that other players then turned to the flag and placed their hands over their hearts. The crowd stood and roared with approval after the anthem, and the seventh inning rendition continued in Games 2-3. When the Series moved to Boston for Games 4-6, Red Sox owner Harry Freeze one-upped the Cubs and played the Star-Spangled Banner before the start of each game.

The Star-Spangled Banner officially became the U.S. National Anthem in 1931. Public officials throughout the country looked for opportunities to play the anthem, especially at venues with large gatherings of people. The tradition of playing the National Anthem before every baseball game began during World War II. By the end of World War II, the NFL Commissioner instructed that it be played before every NFL game as well. The National Anthem soon became a staple at every sporting event, entertainment performance, and civic gathering in the country, and remains so today.

Fifty years after the National Anthem was first played at the World Series, it became the center of controversy in the 1968 World Series. My Dad would always take a vacation week during the Fall Classic to see the afternoon games, and I would join him upon return from school. I didn’t hear the pre-Game 5 performance at Tiger Stadium by Puerto Rican pop star, Jose Felicianio, but I remember the hubbub. In his rendition, Feliciano played the guitar and slowed down the song with a Latin-infused version. Feliciano thought he had struck the right chords: “I did it to show my appreciation to America for what they had done for me. I love this country.” Most of the country thought differently and were outraged, especially veterans who thought it was disrespectful. I doubt that my Dad was pleased.

Recently, the National Anthem has again been controversial in sports. Beginning with San Francisco 49ers former quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during a pre-game rendition in 2016, NFL players have joined to protest brutality against black Americans. NBA players have certainly been at the forefront calling for change. It is with this backdrop that Gabe Kapler decided to use the National Anthem as his avenue to express discontent over the Uvalde school shootings and inaction by our country’s leaders on gun control. Kapler said this as he stayed in the clubhouse during the National Anthem last weekend: “When I was the same age as the children in Uvalde, my father taught me to stand for the pledge of allegiance when I believed my country was representing its people well or to protest and stay seated when it wasn’t. . . . when you’re dissatisfied with your country, you let it be known through protest.”

From all accounts Kapler’s action comes directly from his heart. As with most managers, he began his career on the playing field, a tough utility player for seven teams over 11 seasons (1999-2010). When he signed his final MLB player contract with Tampa, it was for $1,000,018, the extra $18 representing the symbol for “life” in Judaism. Gabe has been at the center of players’ lives since his retirement as an active player. Beginning in 2014, he served as the director of player development for the Dodgers, instituting healthy eating and other programs for the betterment of players. As a manager for the Phillies (2018-2019) and now Giants (2021-present), he’s known for the best of managerial qualities – strategist (he leads the majors in umpiring call overturns); effective use of roster (he uses more players per game than any other manager); and player connection (keeping open lines of communication).

After Kapler’s initial statement and protest, other managers, sports commentators, and news analysts, lined up, as we so often see in this divisive world, for and against his stance. Yet, my Dad taught me another important lesson along the way – there’s not always a clear line between right and wrong; it’s mostly murky. On Memorial Day, Kapler decided to return to his team’s baseline during the playing of the National Anthem. His stance: “Those who serve in our country, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price for our rights and our freedoms, deserve that I acknowledge and respect, and I am honored to stand on the line today to show mine.”

That same afternoon my youngest daughter placed the American flag on the pole in front of our home with the simple words “for Grandpa”. I knew my Dad was smiling. Just like Kapler and reportedly 90% of Americans, I too support increased gun control in our country. My personal pledge is to enter every ballot booth in the future with as much information as possible on NRA contributions to the respective candidates. At games and other public events, I also pledge to continue to stand, place my hand across my heart, and sing the National Anthem, with the hope of lives saved and a better country in the future. My Dad would be proud. For Life.

Until next Monday,

your Baseball Bench Coach