The ugly question arises again, can we separate baseball and politics?

As Peter Dreier wrote for TalkingPoints Memo in 2021 following the MLB’s decision to move the All-Star game away from Georgia to protest a series of voter suppression laws, “Baseball is a business and, like any business, it engages in politics to protect its profits and power, often to the detriment of its employees and consumers.” Baseball and politics are never far apart, so let’s take a look at recent controversies and what can be done about it.

The most recent incident surrounding politics in sports comes following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life with St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Alex Burleson seemingly showing signs of support for the former president by raising his right hand near his ear following a home run, with several teammates responding in kind, per Fox Sports.

The team was quick to distance themselves from any suggestions the motion was political, with Burleson’s teammate Matt Carpenter telling the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the celebration was to signify Burleson’s college years where he rapped under the pseudonym “Biscuit” with the hand motion a reference to headphones.

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Carpenter told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch it was, “Definitely not a political statement, that is off base.” The timing raises suspicions about the answer, with the Tampa Bay Rays infielder Taylor Walls raising his right fist whilst saying “Fight, fight, fight” in an obvious homage to the Republican nominee on the same day.

Sports Illustrated wrote, “The question will be how long the teams use these celebrations and if anyone at Major League Baseball will step in and try to keep political references out of the field of play,” about the incidents. So far, there has been no statement from the Rays on Walls’ celebration.

As City Journal states, “Though not formally conservative, MLB has traditionally had an older and more conservative fan base,” this group would, nominally, vote Republican, and therefore, for Trump. But does the league want to become embroiled in a political battle once again?

Patrick T. Brown, who wrote the article for City Journal we quoted from previously, asked, “What can those who want institutions like baseball to be free from divisive cultural posturing learn from these events?” in relation to the league supporting LGBTQ+ events. An interesting question, but will the same issues arise given the conservative nature of the Cardinals and Rays celebrations?

Brown continues by writing, “the sport should be neither politically conservative nor politically progressive,” which poses deeper questions about what is and isn’t political. Supporting Trump is, equivocally political, but is supporting LGBTQ+ rights the same thing? Or is it more about creating a safe environment for often persecuted minorities?

Perhaps the issue should be reframed, rather than keeping politics out of baseball, the MLB should embrace its platform without endorsing anyone in particular. Whether you agree or disagree with the Rays celebration, those are valid political opinions held by millions of Americans, just like the millions support Pride nights.

There is no obvious right answer, as whatever direction is chosen will offend many, but politics and sport, especially baseball, have been paired forever, and that won’t change. Let us know what you think the solutions should be in the comments.

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