Last weekend, A’s rookie Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to take a knee as a form of protest during the national anthem. He had a message to get across, and he was applauded for it during his next at bat a few days later, at home in Oakland.
A’s Bruce Maxwell booed for taking a knee before a road game against the Rangers
It was his first time taking a knee on the field in an opposing ballpark.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
On Friday night in Arlington, Texas though that wasn’t the case. Instead of a standing ovation for taking a knee, Maxwell received boos from some of the assembled fans.
He also kneeled against the Rangers on Thursday night but many fans didn’t see him do it because he was semi-hidden away in the bullpen warming up pitchers. Some reports do say that fans who witnessed Thursday’s gesture also booed, just less noticeably.
Besides what the state he is in may say about the reaction, this is also the first time that Maxwell has visibly kneeled in front of an away crowd. Beyond any political leanings, you’re just not going to get the same goodwill from the majority of opposing fans as you would at home.
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