Sox's Anderson on taking knee: The world needs to change

In a team meeting before Friday night's season opener against the Twins, the White Sox discussed their plans to protest racial inequality.

“It was definitely open,” Sox shortstop Tim Anderson said. “I expressed to the guys, whether you kneel or not, you are still my brother. We are here to win, to have fun and enjoy the moment. For the guys who kneeled, same way.

“It's just all love in this locker room. We try to be the most understanding from top to bottom and understand what guys are going through and understand certain moments. But each and every one of those guys support my decision.”

The only Black player on the White Sox's roster, Anderson was not alone when he kneeled during Friday's national anthem.

Jose Abreu, Edwin Encarnacion, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Lucas Gioloto took knees, as did bench coach Joe McEwing and first-base coach Daryl Boston.

Manager Rick Renteria kneeled during pregame ceremomies promoting special justice and diversity and inclusion, as did Sox releif pitcher Jace Fry.

Renteria and Yoan Moncada placed their hands on Anderson's shoulders during the anthem.

“Definitely an emotional moment,” said Anderson, who led the major leagues with a .335 batting average last season. “I tried not to shed too many tears because we are going through something where the world needs to change. But you know, it speaks a lot of the guys that were right there in my corner. I am the only Black guy so it was only right that I had to show my love.

“For them to be right there beside me, it speaks a lot of them. We are all brothers and we all love each other and I think it showed. They supported me through it all.”

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli and several of his players also kneeled during Friday night's national anthem.

Before Saturday afternoon's game at Guaranteed Rate Field, there was no kneeling on either side of the field.

“I feel like yesterday was definitely big enough to actually spread the love that is needed,” Anderson said. “Show that I support it. But I will not continue to kneel. I just showed my love and showed it in the right way, in a respectful way. But I will continue to be the person that I am and continue to have fun.”

Tigers claim Fulmer:

Designated for assignment by the White Sox two days earlier, former first-round draft pick Carson

Fulmer was claimed by the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.

The No. 8 overall selection in 2015 out of Vanderbilt, Fulmer was 6-9 with a 6.56 ERA in 44 games (15 starts) with the Sox from 2016-19. The 64 walks in 94.2 innings were the right-hander's biggest downfall.

Fulmer joins the Tigers' 30-man roster, but it's not sure if he'll be a starter or reliever.

“We'll see how it goes,” Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters. “Let's get him here first. Once we do that we'll see where he's at and how much he's done as far as innings and pitches and all those things.

“He's a high-velocity guy, he throws the living fire out of the ball. He's had a tendency to misfire a little bit, so we're going to have to first get him to throw the ball over the plate.”

Night to remember:

Splitting last year between high Class A Winston-Salem and AA Birmingham, Codi Heuer was rated the White Sox's No. 26 prospect heading into the season.

The 6-foot-5 reliever overcame some long odds to win a spot on the 30-man roster, and Heuer pitched a perfect inning Friday night in his major-league debut.

“Obviously, we liked what we saw to be able to carry him,” manager Rick Renteria said. “He's got electric stuff, he's not scared. It was nice to be able to give him an opportunity to get his feet wet. It looks like he embraced it very well.”

Heuer, a sixth-round draft pick in 2018 out of Wichita State, wasn't able to pitchh in front of family and friends in his first game, but he did get plenty of texts and a memorable voicemail from his dad, Brian.

“I think he said, 'You are awesome, man.' He was tearing up,” Hauer said. “He said, 'That was awesome to watch you play. It's such a long road to get here and a lot of hard work. You deserve it.' It means a lot, especially coming from my old man. I wouldn't be here without him.”