Roberts would 'have a problem' with players not standing for anthem

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to openly kneel during the national anthem Saturday, though not everyone in baseball is completely on board with the demonstration.

Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts, who, like Maxwell, grew up in a military family, admitted Sunday he would take issue with players who don't stand for the anthem due to his late father's service.

"Personally, yeah, I'd have a problem because my father served this country for 30 years and I understand - I can appreciate any player's individual, however they act, and that's personal," Roberts said, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Orange County Register. "But I would just ask every person to really be educated. When you make a point, something like that - and it's been in baseball. It's been in sports.

"But the thing is, really think long and hard, and really be educated on why you're doing what you're doing. After that it's each individual player's decision."

According to Hoornstra, Roberts' father, Waymon, served in the Marines for 30 years.

He died this past March at the age of 68.

Maxwell defended his silent protest postgame Saturday, stating he meant no disrespect to the military or to the United States, but that he knelt during the anthem for those who "don't have a voice."

The 26-year-old rookie backstop, who knelt again during the anthem Sunday, was born on a U.S. military installation in Germany while his father was stationed there during his time with the United States Army.