When it comes to standings, accolades, and postseason races, the San Francisco Giants 6-2 victory over the Oakland A’s on Monday night was meaningless. It was merely an exhibition game, used to get players ready, influence roster decisions, and work out broadcasting logistics. Meaningless.
Yet it proved to be anything but.
The Giants started the night with numerous players and coaches kneeling for the national anthem, as a form of peaceful protest against system oppression and police brutality. And they ended it with Alyssa Nakken coaching first base.
In January, Nakken became the first woman to have a full-time coaching job in MLB.