St. Louis Cardinals issue statement supporting Asian American community

On Sunday afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals released a statement across all social media platforms in support of the Asian American community that was rocked by a senseless crime in the Atlanta, GA area.

There has been an unfortunate uptick in crime against Asian Americans throughout the entire country in the past year. After last week’s horrific events, the Cardinals decided it was in their best interest to make a statement in support of their global fanbase, their current, and past. players, and as well in the front office.

The Cardinals have employed many people of Asian descent in recent years, on the field and in the front office. LHP Kwang Hyun Kim and his translator/interpreter Yonsei Choi are from South Korea, as was former relief pitcher Seung-hwan Oh. Infielder and super-utility man Tommy Edman is half Asian.

Who could ever forget So Taguchi? And of course, there’s back-to-back Gold Glove winner Kolten Wong, who unfortunately wasn’t re-signed by the club, but is of Hawaiian/Pacific Islander descent, and is very, very proud to represent his people as a Major League ballplayer.

In the front office, Perry Yee is the Director Of Information Technology in the finance and administration department. Hosei Maruyama is the Director Of Facility Operations & Planning in the stadium operations department. Taka Yanagimoto is the photography manager in the marketing department.

If you’re reading this, you’re free to have your own opinion., but whatever that man was thinking when he decided to senselessly end eight lives was abhorrent. Racial injustice doesn’t change the fact that those families are forever scarred by what happened, and it is an absolute tragedy any time a life is taken for no reason.

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Some fans on social media have disagreed with the Cardinals’ statement, many suggesting that the Cardinals “shut up and play baseball.” But the fact is, the Cardinals are one of the most recognizable brands in the entire world, and when you have that kind of clout, you can use your platform for goodwill, and that’s literally all they were trying to do here.

The Cardinals are first and foremost about baseball, and they always will be. But ownership has made it clear that they are aware some things are bigger than them, and the horrific murders in Atlanta definitely are bigger than baseball.

This statement isn’t about politics. It’s about human rights, plain and simple. Murder is wrong, no matter the circumstances, which is a moral all of humanity should be behind.

I’m proud to be a Cardinals fan, and always will be. This statement denouncing senseless murders only strengthens my love for them, and I hope it does the same for you.