Bob Melvin, who took over the team in October of 2023, told USA Today that the new clubhouse rules require all players to stand for the anthem at the start of each game.
“Look, we’re a new team here, we got some good players here,’’ Melvin told the outIet.”It’s more about letting the other side know that we’re ready to play. I want guys out here ready to go. There’s a personality to that.”
The change is stark compared to the policies of former manager Gabe Kapler, who himself kneeled during the anthem and was the first major league coach to do so. After the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas in 2022, Kapler stopped taking the field before each game.
He had also kneeled previously after the 2020 death of George Floyd.
“I don’t plan on coming out for the anthem going forward until I feel better about the direction of our country,” Kapler said about his decision.
“It has nothing to do with whatever happened in the past or whatever, it’s just something I embrace,” Melvin added.
Whether at his previous home in Oakland or elsewhere, Melvin said the esprit de corp that comes with standing for the nation’s song is paramount to keeping a winning record.
“You want your team ready to play and I want the other team to notice it, too,’’ Melvin said. “It’s as simple as that. They’re embracing it.”