Former Major League Baseball player Jim Edmonds has strong feelings about patriotism. In a recent conversation with Tomi Lahren, he expressed that any disrespect towards America wouldn’t be tolerated in his clubhouse.
Edmonds, who played 17 seasons and earned a reputation as one of the best defensive center fielders in history, secured eight Gold Glove Awards, made four All-Star teams, and hit almost 400 home runs.
But for Edmonds, it’s not just about on-field performance; it’s also crucial to show respect for the national anthem. In their discussion, they touched on whether baseball has become more political, reflecting on the societal changes during the summer of 2020 and the George Floyd protests.
Edmonds shifted the conversation to his beliefs, noting that while honoring individuals is essential, recognizing the national anthem holds equal importance. “People get that it’s a good thing to honor others, but we also need to acknowledge the anthem,” he stated.
He elaborated, “There’s a reason we sing the national anthem daily. It’s about respect. Just like when we see the President and the military, there’s a salute. That’s what we’re taught.” He mentioned how he would have reacted if a player had behaved like Colin Kaepernick in his clubhouse, recalling his leadership as a captain.
Edmonds conveyed that if someone had engaged in similar actions while he was leading, he would have asked, “What’s going on? We need to reflect on our actions. I respect your intentions, but let’s really think about the message being conveyed.”
He expressed relief that baseball hasn’t escalated to the same extent as other sports regarding political gestures. It’s refreshing to hear an athlete highlight that sports serve as a form of recreation. Taking such moments for granted isn’t ideal; hopefully, more athletes share this perspective.
