Though Major League Baseball initially received heat for its lack of an immediate response to the recent police brutality and murders of black Americans, Commissioner Rob Manfred opened last night’s MLB Draft with a message of condemnation and an announcement of donations to several organizations fighting for racial justice.

“Tonight, I join our 30 club baseball operations officials as they recognize on behalf of our entire industry, that systemic racism and inequality are devastating problems,” Manfred said. “That we can each do more to help. That baseball can do more as an institution. That black lives matter, and that we are united for change.

“This moment is a call to action, to acknowledge the ills that exist, to show solidarity with the black community in its efforts to end racism and injustice. We want to utilize the platform afforded by our game to be not only allies but active participants in social change.”

MLB’s donation includes significant contributions from each of the 30 clubs, in the name of the 30 heads of baseball operations.

Shortly before the draft began, Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen, who had previously tweeted a black square with the hashtag #BlackoutTuesday, announced his donation.

“I proudly join all of the Baseball Ops leaders who are personally making donations to be distributed to Campaign Zero, @ColorOfChange, @eji_org, @JRFoundation and @NAACP_LD. #BlackLivesMatter”

On a conference call to discuss the Mets’ first-round selection of Pete Crow-Armstrong, Van Wagenen expanded on his thoughts.

“We have a systemic racism problem in the country. It affects all of our institutions — baseball isn’t immune to it. The way we discussed it was that we have to have a voice. We can’t sit quietly and watch the pain and suffering that continues to happen throughout our country, watching history repeat itself, and not say something with the collective voice that we have.

“We felt that we could amplify the #BlackLivesMatter message because black lives do matter. We’re in a position both from a voice standpoint but also from a financial standpoint to be able to try and make an impact and this was hopefully a first step of action that all of us can do as we go forward.”