In recent days, Tampa Bay Rays' shortstop Taylor Walls and St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Matt Carpenter have found themselves caught in controversy over gestures made during their respective games. Both players have come forward to clarify that their actions were not meant as endorsements of any political figures or statements.

Walls, who had raised a fist and mouthed "fight, fight" after hitting a double in a win over the New York Yankees, explained that the gesture was a private joke shared among teammates in the locker room. He emphasized that it was not intended as a political statement or an endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Walls expressed regret for any unintended implications and stated that he does not foresee repeating the gesture in the future.

Meanwhile, Carpenter and some of his Cardinals teammates faced scrutiny for their celebratory gestures, which included cupping their ears with one hand while raising their opposite fists in the air. Online speculation arose after the celebration was compared to images from the moments after the attempted assassination of the Republican presidential nominee. Carpenter promptly denied any political motivation, emphasizing that the gestures were part of an inside joke with teammate Alec Burleson. Carpenter explained that the cupped hand and raised arm were intended to mimic the movements of a DJ and had no political connotations.

Both players have stressed that their actions were meant solely in the spirit of camaraderie and fun, and not as political statements. MLB teams and players have increasingly used celebrations and gestures to exhibit team unity and showcase their personalities on the field. However, it is important for players to be aware of the potential interpretations their actions may have and to clarify their intentions to mitigate any misunderstandings.

The controversies surrounding Walls and Carpenter serve as reminders that actions on the field can generate discussions outside the realm of sports. As public figures, athletes must be vigilant in considering the impact of their gestures and behaviors. Moving forward, it is likely that MLB will continue to address the issue of player gestures and seek to ensure that they do not inadvertently convey any unintended messages.

Dates and numbers related to this news article:
- Sunday: The day when Taylor Walls made the gesture during the game.
- July 13: The date of the rally where Donald Trump reacted with a similar gesture after a bullet hit his ear.
- Recently: The timeframe mentioned when Matt Carpenter addressed the online speculation about his team's celebration.