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Baltimore Orioles & Tampa Bay Rays Postpone Game in Solidarity

ByKristen Bentley|
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 23: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles runs with Cedric Mullins #31 and Mason Williams #38 to shake hands with teammates after the game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 23, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 23: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles runs with Cedric Mullins #31 and Mason Williams #38 to shake hands with teammates after the game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 23, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

In a move that speaks of team solidarity, the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays decided to postpone Game 3 of their series at Tropicana Field.

The Baltimore Orioles were the first to announce the postponement with Rays agreeing to the delay.

The Orioles shared their thoughts with fans via Twitter:

The Rays shared the sentiments of the Orioles with their own statement released on Twitter:

The Orioles roster has several players who are young men of color. Yesterday, one of those players, Cedric Mullins, shared his emotional thoughts along with manager Brandon Hyde.

According to Joe Trezza with MLB.com, the game will be rescheduled. Several other games were postponed for similar reasons tonight including the Twins at the Tigers, Rockies at D-Backs, Phillies at Nationals, Red Sox at Blue Jays, and Athletics at Rangers. On Wednesday night, the Milwaukee Brewers postponed their game against the Reds, after the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks refused to play in Game 5 of the playoffs.

More from Orioles News

Kenosha, Wisconsin, the scene of the latest shootings, is only a 45-minute drive south of Milwaukee.

The Orioles are no strangers to social injustice and systemic racism. They were the first team to play to an empty stadium in 2015 as the city experienced civil unrest after the death of Freddie Gray. Former Orioles player Adam Jones frequently spoke out about racism and injustices.

Several Orioles spoke out today about their thoughts regarding racial injustice. Rookie Dillon Tate told Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun:

Alex Cobb told MASN reporters:

The Players Alliance – a group of current and former black MLB players – also shared their response to the racial injustice plaguing cities around the Us. On August 27 and 28, The Players Alliance will donate their salaries to combat racial injustice.

Members of The Players Alliance include men like Curtis Granderson, Torii Hunter, Dwight Smith Jr, Mookie Betts, Cameron Maybin, and Jones. The Orioles Richie Martin, Cedric Mullins, Dillon Tate, and Mason Williams are members, too. Martin’s grandfather played in the Negro League.

Ironically, August 28 is Jackie Robinson Day in the world of baseball. All players will done #42 as they celebrate how the League was desegregated, one team at a time beginning with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

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