Hometown Broadcasting Sports Thursday 8/27/20
27 August 2020 Sports
The NBA postponed all of Wednesday’s playoff games in the wake of the Milwaukee Bucks boycotting their game against the Orlando Magic on Thursday afternoon. The Bucks boycotted Game 5 of their first round NBA Playoffs series to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, earlier in the week.
Sterling Brown and George Hill read aloud a team statement, saying the Bucks are calling for justice “in the death of Jacob Blake and make those responsible held accountable.” They also called for the state legislature to reconvene and “take meaningful measures to address issues of police accountability, brutality and criminal justice reform. We encourage all citizens to educate themselves, take peaceful and responsible actions.”
The NBA says Game 5 will be rescheduled, meaning Milwaukee won’t forfeit the game. The NBA board and players will meet separately today to discuss ending the entire season.
Three WNBA games also were called off inside the league’s bubble in Bradenton, Florida.
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Meanwhile, three Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake. Games between the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers in Milwaukee, Seattle Mariners and Padres in San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Giants in San Francisco were called off hours before they were set to begin.
Said Brewers manager Craig Counsell: “The Bucks led here. The NBA led here. But our players, they went first in Major League Baseball and I’m still very proud of them for that.”
The Brewers supported that stance.
“The Milwaukee Brewers organization joins the players in their decision to not play tonight’s game. We need to pause and reflect on the events that are causing such pain and hardship to our local community and country. The entire organization is committed to putting the spotlight on racial injustice, inequality, and the necessity for change,” the team said.
Dodgers star Mookie Betts, who is Black, told his teammates he was sitting out and they backed him. “For me, I think no matter what, I wasn’t going to play tonight,” Betts said.
Dexter Fowler and Jack Flaherty of the Cardinals, both Black, opted not to participate in St. Louis’ game against Kansas City. The team tweeted that it supported the decision. Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward, who is also Black, was removed from the lineup shortly before first pitch, although no official announcement was immediately made as to why. Other MLB games had finished, were in progress or just about to start as the announcements were made.
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In games played involving NL Central Division team’s the White Sox beat the Pirates 10-3, the Tigers edged the Cubs 7-6 and the Cardinals nipped the Royals 6-5.
The Reds and Brewers are scheduled to play a double header today. The Reds will send Sonny Gray (4-1) against Milwaukee’s Adrian Houser (1-2) in game one. Neither team has announced who will start in game two. First pitch is at 4:10 and the game can be heard on AM1100/98.3FM, WISS.
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The Packers are scheduled to practice today and there has been no announcement of whether or not it will be cancelled.
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