This week, Danny reacted to the announced return of Major League Baseball:
I am sick and tired of talking about Coronavirus. I’m especially sick and tired of talking about how Coronavirus is preventing pro sports from returning.
Well, we’re getting closer to being able to watch a game again. This week, the news was that the Major League Baseball Players’ Association agreed to the league’s proposed health and safety protocols, resulting in Major League Baseball to formally announce a 60-game season in 2020.
Here’s the official release on MLB.com:
“Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced today that Major League Baseball anticipates beginning its 2020 regular season approximately one month from today, on July 23rd or July 24th.
The announcement follows confirmation today that the MLB Players Association has accepted the health and safety protocols that will guide MLB’s return to play and that players will be able to report for training by July 1st. The health and safety of players and employees will remain MLB’s foremost priorities in its return to play. MLB is working with a variety of public health experts, infectious disease specialists and technology providers on a comprehensive approach that aims to facilitate a safe return.
MLB has submitted a 60-game regular season schedule for review by the Players Association. The proposed schedule will largely feature divisional play, with the remaining portion of each Club’s games against their opposite league’s corresponding geographical division (i.e., East vs. East, Central vs. Central and West vs. West), in order to mitigate travel. The vast majority of Major League Clubs are expected to conduct training at the ballparks in their primary home cities.
Commissioner Manfred said: ‘Major League Baseball is thrilled to announce that the 2020 season is on the horizon. We have provided the Players Association with a schedule to play 60 games and are excited to provide our great fans with Baseball again soon.’”
I don’t usually share entire releases like that. But this one is different. This feels special. Because as of last week, it looked as it we wouldn’t see baseball again until 2021. And who knows what would’ve happened to the game had it missed an entire season in 2020.
A 60-game schedule is basically a two-month season. So I guess you could say it’s wide open. On top of a shortened schedule, there are also some other new rules: Teams will begin extra innings with a runner on second base (only in the regular season), implementation of the DH in both leagues, pitchers can have a wet rag in their pocket to substitute for licking their fingers, and a three-batter minimum for pitchers.
Also, there will be a trade deadline. That will be August 31.
I’m excited. But I’m managing that excitement, because as I say this, several players have already tested positive for Coronavirus. Could that lead to some players opting not to play? Is a 60-game season worth it to every player, if there’s a risk of catching Coronavirus and maybe even spreading it to someone who may be seriously affected by it?
These are legitimate questions. And right now, we still don’t have the answers.
But it’s a step in the right direction.
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