Yankees catching heat for statement on Henry Kissinger

Kissinger was simultaneously the national security advisor and the secretary of state during Richard Nixon's administration and advised twelve U.S. presidents. Considered by many historians as the most powerful secretary of state since World War II, it's what Kissinger did with such power that made him one of the most reviled power brokers in world history.

While serving in Nixon's cabinet, Kissinger helped craft a foreign policy that proved to support dictators around the globe and end up destructive to several nations. Despite being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating peace accords which eventually ended the Vietnam War, many believed that his intervention came too little, too late, leading to countless deaths in a war that America "lost." Kissinger was accused of breaking international law by orchestrating bombings in Cambodia during the war, with the number of deaths estimated to be around 50,000 people. His obituary in the New York Times expands on the numerous geopolitical incidents in which he had direct or indirect influence.

By the looks of the posting, the responses are overwhelmingly negative, with fans and media observers calling out the team for being tone deaf in light of the aftermath of Kissinger's actions while in office. Some have also brought up the simmering debate of the union of sports and politics, citing the Yankees' tweet as an example of how those who critique traditionally progressive statements made by teams choose to remain silent on this particular statement.

The Yankees have historically not been known for adding commentary or taking action as related to the proverbial third rail of politics and social justice. However, the franchise has stepped out of its manicured image on occasion, using a May 2022 game against the Tampa Bay Rays to tweet facts about the impact of gun violence in place of typical live tweeting about the game itself. The Yankees were one of the last teams to make a statement in light of George Floyd's murder by former police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020, using the post to attempt an explanation on its delay compared to other teams and businesses.