Bob Melvin Wants All Giants Personnel To Stand For The National Anthem So Opponents Know They're Ready To Play

If you see members of the San Francisco Giants standing for the national anthem before games this season, that’s because manager Bob Melvin wants it that way.

Melvin spent the past two years with the San Diego Padres, and made the transition to the Bay Area this offseason. One of his first orders of business was mandating that every player, bat boy, manager, and coach stand for the national anthem. Even the bullpen personnel file out of their outfield shelter and form a line at the warning track as well.

What’s the meaning behind the method for Melvin? It’s not about politics, respect for the country, or anything else.

"It’s all about the perception that we’re out there ready to play," he said. "That’s it. You want your team ready to play and I want the other team to notice it, too. It’s really as simple as that."

He’s not waiting for the regular season to start this new way of doing business either. It’s begun in spring training.

Giants Players Seem To Like Melvin's Appraoch

Melvin’s approach is far different from that of former manager Gabe Kapler, who himself refused to stand for the anthem after the Uvalde, TX school shooting in 2022. Kapler had also enforced a policy in which players could do whatever they wanted when it came to the national anthem.

Outfielder Austin Slater said he appreciates the thought process behind Melvin's new mandate.

Melvin will have all Giants personnel stand for the anthem to send a message to opponents. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

"I think it sets the example of hey, we’re in this together," Slater said. "Whether you’re not playing that day or you’re a starting pitcher who threw yesterday, you’re still out there, on time, ready to be a good teammate.

"Once the anthem starts, we’re locked in on the game as a unit. There’s an inherent respect level, and not only to the older guys, but to your entire team," he continued. "You’re there to be supportive. The other big part, and this might be the biggest, is you’re staying and watching the game and learning from the game. I think that’s important."

Even if Melvin’s rationale does not directly involve respecting America, it’s refreshing to see that at least one team will be ready to participate in this pregame ceremony. It would be nice if the rest of the league would do that as well.