Newly appointed San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin is set to introduce a new policy for the national anthem for the 2024 season.
As part of this directive, every individual in the dugout must now stand on the field when the "Star-Spangled Banner" is played before each game.
"Look, we're a new team here, we got some good players here. It's more about letting the other side know that we're ready to play. I want guys out here ready to go. There's a personality to that," the three-time Manager of the Year said.
Melvin stated that he had previously implemented the same rules during his tenure with the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres.
On occasions when he observed that full participation was not being achieved, the 62-year-old would take measures to enforce compliance within his team.
Former Giants manager Gabe Kapler has different stance on the national anthem
Melvin's new rules mark a significant departure from the practices of the Giants' previous manager, Gabe Kapler.
The 48-year-old has opted not to be on the field for the national anthem since 2022 following a mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
"I don't plan on coming out for the anthem going forward until I feel better about the direction of our country," he said in May of that year.
Additionally, in 2020, he kneeled in protest for several games in response to the killing of George Floyd.
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