Gabe Kapler, Giants players, Dodgers’ Mookie Betts kneel before MLB opener

The Giants became national news earlier this week when manager Gabe Kapler and several coaches and players took a knee during the national anthem that was played before exhibitions against the A's. With a national audience watching Thursday night, they joined the Dodgers for a powerful pre-game moment.

Several on the roster again took a knee during the anthem, while Mookie Betts was the only Dodgers player to kneel. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts remained standing.

Before the anthem, players and coaches on both sides took a knee and held a long black piece of fabric to symbolize the fight for racial equality. Reliever Sam Coonrod was the only player on either side who did not kneel. When the anthem started, all of the Dodgers except Mookie Betts stood up, but Kapler and several Giants remained on one knee.

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Kapler was joined by Pablo Sandoval, Mike Yastrzemski, Hunter Pence, Jaylin Davis, Trevor Gott, Wandy Peralta, Austin Slater, Justin Viele and Antoan Richardson. On the other side, Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy stood with one hand on the shoulder of Betts, who is the game's best Black player.

The powerful statement before the anthem was participated in by all four teams that played on opening day:

The Giants and Dodgers all took a knee together before the anthem. Several Giants have continued to kneel during the anthem, including manager Gabe Kapler: pic.twitter.com/7F4DkAdalN
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) July 24, 2020

Earlier in the day, the Yankees and Nationals came together before the first game of the MLB season. They took a knee during a pregame ceremony and players held the same black piece of fabric, but they stood for the national anthem.