Twins-Red Sox game postponed amid Daunte Wright protests

Monday evening’s game between the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox was postponed just minutes before the first pitch, with the Twins management announcing that the decision had been made “out of respect for the tragic events” surrounding the police shooting death of a 20-year-old Black man on Sunday.

A statement from the Twins confirmed that the game would be played at a later date, though no official time was listed on the team’s calendar as of Monday afternoon. Sunday’s shooting occurred in Brooklyn Center, a city bordering Minneapolis, where the Twins’ Target Field is located.

“Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Center, and following the additional details in this evolving situation, the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interest of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today’s game,” the statement read.

“The Minnesota Twins organization extends its sympathies to the family of Daunte Wright,” it continued.

Protesters clashed with police in Brooklyn Center on Sunday evening following the shooting, while nationwide criticism of the police’s actions escalated Monday following remarks from police Chief Tim Gannon, who claimed that he believed the officer who shot Wright had meant to deploy her Taser instead.

In body camera footage of the shooting released Monday, Wright appears to attempt to reenter his vehicle after officers attempted to place him in handcuffs. An officer can be heard yelling “Tase him!” before he is shot.

Gannon called for patience from the Brooklyn Center community at a news conference Monday.

“I am also stressing that I do hope for the community to be patient and allow for this investigation, criminal investigation, to be completed as thoroughly as possible. I believe Mr. Wright deserves this, as do all involved,” he said.