Never discuss politics or religion, the old saying goes. Evidently, ESPN’s Jayson Stark would like to add sports to the list of taboo topics. In a recent article, Stark called out Major League Baseball players for their lack of public political engagement. Starks writes, “Is 2017 the time for a new code of conduct? Is it time for a more socially aware culture — in this, the sport of Jackie Robinson?” And why not? Both the NBA and NFL have capitulated to these PC police and have become little more than echo chambers for leftist social justice causes. The NBA and NCAA boycott against the state of North Carolina over its anti-transgender bathroom law clearly attests to this, as does the widespread kneeling in the NFL for the national anthem.

Never mind the fact that that many Americans tune into sports for the same reasons they go to the movies — to escape the often ugly reality of things like politics. In its purest form, sports pits superbly skilled athletes against each other in a win-or-lose competition. And that field of competition — not the field of politics — is where athletes are at their very best.

It’s true, of course, that American sports has a long history of individual athletes making social statements, but that is more a reflection of being an American with the constitutional protected right to freely express one’s opinions. Leftists who demand that our athletes become “social justice” warriors only do harm to our sports. Everything should not be about politics or social justice causes. Sports should just be about the game and the joy of fans watching those highly gifted individuals showcase their amazing talents. Don’t ruin baseball with incessant politics. Americans have always come together and cheered for sports, irrespective of race, religion, sex or political affiliation. Why ruin that?