PITTSBURGH – The Cleveland Indians took three separate buses to PNC Park before Saturday's exhibition against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a move designed to maintain proper social distancing while also trying to pull off a Major League Baseball season during the COVID-19 pandemic.The club, however, broke with the protocol for a few brief moments during the national anthem.
While a prerecorded version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” blared over the speakers at the spectator-free ballpark, the Indians stood side-by-side, their right hand over their heart, their left hand on their teammate's right shoulder.It was intentional.
It was peaceful. And most importantly, star shortstop Francisco Lindor stressed, it was respectful of all sides as the team.