With Cardinals legend and coach Willie McGee to his left and Floyds final words printed across his chest, Flaherty stood tall Wednesday, a preview of his plan to use his platform to prod those in baseball and beyond to . . . do what, exactly?

Its about unity with everybody, Flaherty said. With every race. Every culture. Every religion. Its understanding we are all one.

Far from the cesspool of social media, there still is a place for productive conversation in our society. I know this is true, because you can tell its happening in Cardinals manager Mike Shildts clubhouse.

We have had some good and honest open conversations as a group, Flahertys rotation mate Miles Mikolas said. Being unified is huge. Standing up for what is right is huge.

A young ace (Flaherty), a veteran outfielder (Dexter Fowler) and a living Cardinals legend (McGee) have been talking. Others have been listening. Questions have been asked and answered. One word keeps coming up. Unity.

Turan Mullins, an assistant dean and director of the office of diversity and inclusion at Maryville University, has met with the team to discuss diversity and the Black Lives Matter movement. Middle ground is being found. Plans to do more are in motion.

As players across the league dropped to a knee during the national anthem before exhibition games this week, and the leagues discussion with a group of Black players called the Players Alliance led to the approval of uniform patches with certain messages Black Lives Matter and United for Change the Cardinals confirmed they will have a collective message to deliver before Flahertys opening-day start against the Pirates on Friday night.

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BenFred: Cardinals are showing their city how to have hard discussions about racism. Let's learn from them - St. Louis Post-Dispatch