Taylor Walls swears his 'fight, fight' gesture was all about inside jokes and baseball, not a political rally cry, despite the nod to Trump after his hit against the Yankees.

Despite the conspicuous connection to a famous Trump moment, Taylor Walls clarified his fist-pumping 'fight, fight' gesture, performed after hitting a double against the Yankees, was merely an inside joke among teammates. While inspired by Trump's display of strength following an assassination attempt, Walls insists it was intended to celebrate resilience and determination in baseball, not politics. To avoid future misunderstandings, Walls has vowed to retire the gesture from his post-hit repertoire.

Walls clarified that the inspiration behind his gesture was former President Donald Trump’s reaction to an assassination attempt. Trump’s swift and confident response left a lasting impression on Walls, symbolizing resilience and unwavering determination. “It was about embodying that spirit of strength,” said Walls, visibly amused by the unexpected controversy.

The gesture, however, took on a life of its own after Walls performed it following a double against the Yankees. What was supposedly a moment of shared humor within the team spiraled into a political maelstrom, much to Walls' bewilderment. He stressed more than once that it was never meant to convey any political message, which makes the whole misunderstanding almost laughably absurd to him.

Adding to the mix, Walls expressed his admiration for Trump’s immediate display of strength after the attack but emphasized that his admiration was purely about the instinctive human response in a moment of crisis. “The way he handled the situation resonated with me,” Walls explained. “But this has nothing to do with politics. It’s about perseverance in the face of adversity. And no, this isn’t an excuse to start wearing red hats,” Walls added with a grin.

Ending any further confusion, Walls unequivocally stated, “I won’t repeat the gesture again.” This decision likely stems from misinterpretations clouding his original intent. If anything, the incident points to how charged any physical gesture can become in today's politically saturated climate. Looks like Walls would prefer to keep his 'double' meanings strictly on the field!

Interestingly, Walls is not alone in this unintentional political theater. Fellow baseball star, the Cardinals' Alec Burleson, has also used similar gestures. Like Walls, Burleson maintained that his actions carried no political weight. “We’re athletes, not politicians,” said Burleson in a brief comment about the subject.

Curiously, during the discussion, Walls mentioned Joe Biden potentially dropping out of the upcoming presidential race but refrained from connecting his statement to his own voting plans. Although Walls did not disclose his electoral preferences, he remarked, 'I think my voting choices are private,' hinting he has no intention of elaborating his political stance. Guess we won't be seeing any 'Walls for President' posters anytime soon.

When all is said and done, the incident sheds light on the fine line athletes tread while in the public eye. Every significant action, from minor gestures to post-game interviews, is subject to public scrutiny. For Walls, a simple mimicry rooted in admiration turned a tad too ironic, casting him temporarily into unintended political limelight.

For the time being, Walls’ focus remains firmly on baseball. Despite the media frenzy, he maintains a steady vision for his performance on the field, hoping to channel that same resilience—minus any controversial gestures—in his forthcoming games.