Some Cubs Didn't Want To Play But Jason Heyward Was Adamant That They Did

We started to see boycotts all across the country on Wednesday in protest of continued police brutality and it hit close to home for Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward who also opted to sit out the series finale against the Tigers.

Heyward was a healthy scratch before Wednesday night’s game after talking with manager David Ross. Following the 7-6 loss, Heyward addressed the media and said he felt an obligation to partake in the protest by not playing.

"I feel like I need to be a part of it, or I'm going back on my word." –Jason Heyward

Said he was getting texts pregame from around baseball. Among them, Mookie Betts. Heyward felt tonight was an important day for continuing to bring awareness to social injustice.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 27, 2020

Several games around MLB were postponed on Wednesday, as entire teams opted not to play. That included the Reds vs. Brewers, Giants vs. Dodgers and Mariners vs. Padres in a sign of solidarity.

In the case of the Dodgers, the team took Mookie Betts’ lead, deciding not to play after the 2018 AL MVP said he wasn’t going to take the field.

Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.

Mookie Betts, Dave Roberts, Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen are standing side by side in San Francisco addressing the media. Betts said he wasn’t going to play regardless. Once that was the case, Kershaw said, the team rallied around him.
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) August 27, 2020

Mookie Betts: "I know, for me, I was already tight with everyone in the clubhouse … but now that everyone has my back more than I already thought, means a lot. I’ll always remember this day and I’ll always remember this team having my back. This organization has been amazing."
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 27, 2020

Several Cubs players did not want to play, but Heyward was adamant that they go out and finish the series in Detroit.

Ross said multiple players came in office and to dugout, expressing that they were willing to stand with Heyward and not play. Heyward "was adamant" that his teammates took the field.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) August 27, 2020

#Cubs had several players who did not want to play tonight/didn't feel comfortable playing. David Ross was fully supportive of either decision, but Jason Heyward wanted them to play, so they played.
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) August 27, 2020

Other players also decided not to play Wednesday night, including Dexter Fowler and Matt Kemp. Both of their teams still opted to proceed and play their respective games.

Personally, I lean toward this sentiment on tonight’s choices made by the Cubs.

So there is more context for how tonight played out on the Cubs. I completely respect Heyward's decision AND his decision to encourage teammates to play. Still, seeing what the Dodgers did with Betts, it's hard not to wish Cubs teammates had done the same. https://t.co/xO0falqwVf
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) August 27, 2020