OAK-TEX postponed; Calhoun using voice

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers arrived at Globe Life Field on Thursday expecting to play a game against the Athletics.

Then they were informed the A's players had voted against playing in order to demonstrate support of protests that have arisen against racial injustice and last Sunday's police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis.

The Rangers supported the decision and Thursday's game was postponed.

The Rangers issued a statement saying: "We respect the decision by the Oakland A's players to postpone tonight's game. We stand with all those who condemn racial injustice and are committed to helping bring about an end to systemic racism."

The game will be rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 12, with the first of two seven-inning games beginning at 4:05 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field.

Players from the Reds-Brewers, Mariners-Padres and Dodgers-Giants games elected not to play on Wednesday, joining a movement that began earlier in the day when the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court for their NBA playoff game.

The Rangers were largely unaware of the growing movement when they took batting practice on Wednesday afternoon. When they returned to the clubhouse, they were told the Athletics were discussing not playing the game.

"The NBA decided to do what they did collectively, then some Major League teams followed suit as well," third-base coach Tony Beasley said. "Yesterday happened fast. We heard after batting practice the A's were having a discussion, and so we had some conversations among ourselves. We expected to play yesterday, and we were kind of in limbo. We played yesterday's game and I showed up today expecting to play baseball. But we support the A's decision."

Oakland and the east side of the San Francisco Bay Area has a large Black population that has often been vocal and demonstrative about racial and social justice issues in their community and across the nation.

"The city that we play in has a long history of fighting for what is right. That's what we are trying to do here," A's shortstop Marcus Semien said. "I feel like a lot of our fans will have our backs on this. When they turn on what they think will be an A's game and it's not on there, they'll understand why. Take the light off us for a night and educate yourselves on what is going on in our country and how we can make things better."

Racial and social injustice have been topics of discussion in the Rangers' clubhouse since the players returned for Summer Camp after the three-month shutdown. Beasley said the Rangers continue to explore ways they can use their platform to help bring about change in the community.

"Players have a lot of resources at this level financially," Beasley said. "Players' faces mean something to our fans and out in the community. We're not able to physically get out into the community right now, so all we're capable of doing here is making sure that we're laying the groundwork within the clubhouse so that when the temperature is right we can go into the community and really have an impact. We've already made sure that we're unified amongst ourselves so we can get out and do that."

Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun expressed his feelings in an Instagram post Thursday afternoon.

"It breaks my heart that it is 2020 and we are still talking about RACISM!" Calhoun wrote. "As I reflect back on recent acts of racial injustice and prejudice that our country has been faced with, I challenged myself to not only see what I can do to effectively make a change, but also bring awareness to what others may face during these difficult times."

Calhoun, who is from Benicia, Calif., about 20 miles northeast of Oakland, is one of two Black players on the Rangers. The other is pitcher Taylor Hearn, who is from Royse City, Texas.

"Growing up, I was always one who was more of the quiet guy who sat back and watched others and never took a stance on things that didn't directly effect me," Calhoun wrote. "But as I got older, I went through my own challenges that I knew I would have to face head on and make hard choices. I've realized that if I didn't stand for something, I would fall for anything.

"I've used my voice and made positive changes, which is what is allowing me to now use that same voice to speak out on issues that may not directly impact me, but others who look like me. If we can all use our voices to make some meaningful impact on societal indifferences that challenge our country as one, this world can be a better place for ALL!"