By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK — Before the first pick was made at the amateur draft, Major League Baseball delivered a message: The sport stands fully behind the Black Lives Matter movement.
At the outset of the broadcast Wednesday night, Commissioner Rob Manfred said "this moment is a call to action" and baseball "can do more as an institution" to combat systemic racism and inequality.
Executives from all 30 teams working remotely held up signs that read: "Black Lives Matter. United For Change."
The baseball operations officials were joined by MLB and club owners in announcing donations to several organizations that support and fight for racial justice.