Discussing the MLB’s COVID-19 Crisis

Hello fans, Josh here from The Bullpen! The news regarding COVID-19 in the MLB (especially in the Marlins, Phillies, and Cardinals organizations) has a lot of us baseball fans worried about the future of the sport. In this article I gathered my fellow contributors to share their thoughts on the recent COVID-19 outbreaks jeopardizing the 2020 MLB season.

Sebastian Moore: There has been a rise in COVID-19 cases across the country before the 2020 season officially began July 23, so it wasn’t shocking that an outbreak of positive coronavirus tests was reported four days later.

As of July 27, Marlins players and staff have produced over 17 positive coronavirus tests. The Phillies have not played since their home opener against the Marlins concluded July 26. The weekend series between the Cardinals and Brewers was postponed because four members of the Cardinals organization tested positive. Outfielder Lorenzo Cain opted out of the season Saturday in light of the recent positive cases across the MLB.There is so much to digest here. It seemed unrealistic that the MLB could squeeze 60 games in 66 days without someone contracting the virus, even with minimal travel.

These outbreaks are concerning because baseball is a socially distant sport. The most crowded area on the field is the dugout and without fans in the stands, the dugouts can be expanded considerably.I fear that if these outbreaks are not better contained, the 2020 season will be over indefinitely. If baseball had an outbreak four days into its season, how will sports like football, basketball, and hockey minimize, contain, or prevent outbreaks to keep their players safe?

– SM

Heather Barette: First the Marlins, then the Cardinals, then what? Personally, I think this season is turning out to be more of a circus than a success. The fact that all of these postponed games we are seeing right now will probably be made up with 7-inning double headers only exasperates the issues at hand– that this season has felt and will continue to feel rushed, and that the lack of fans present/ the players’ increasing uncertainty about whether or not to continue playing in the midst of a pandemic has slashed that summer baseball spirit we all crave.

If baseball can continue in a way that is safer for everybody on and off the field, then great, but so far this is just looking like another Rob Manfred blunder, in what has so far been a mess of a year. With that said and as the Dodger girl of the staff, I will just say this … if the season does continue and baseball is played all the way through to the World Series, then in my eyes this season only counts if the Dodgers actually win it all. Otherwise, 2020 was a fluke, and championships won’t count until a full season can be played. Just one of the things I’m telling myself to take the pressure off.

– HB

Alex Wahl: Like many other baseball fans, I’m thrilled for baseball to be back. I knew there were going to be some disruptions because of COVID-19, but I’m just glad to see MLB take that risk. I can’t say I’m happy with how the season is going so far, except for the Yankees, but I’m just thrilled to see my favorite sport back on the TV screen despite having no fans there. I’m hopeful that the Marlins can get back soon and hoping that all the players and staff there make a full and quick recovery, especially after having a good opening series against the Phillies. This season is already different, but I’m hoping it can continue on with healthy players and I hope Aaron Judge wins the short season MVP.

– AW

Aaron Perez: I’m hoping that teams are taking the necessary precautions and being honest about the positive test results when they come up. The MLB has a duty to the well-being of everyone; players, umpires, front office, and fans. Thankfully the Marlins are back to action, but if we don’t take this seriously the next time, we could be looking at an entire MLB shutdown. Maybe players should take after Clint Frazier or Nolan Arenado by wearing masks in play, but more importantly, they should remember that we’re relying on them to stay healthy and to keep the sport breathing. They need to remember to abide by the same recommendations as we abide by. Let’s conquer this virus and continue to play ball!

– AP

Reese Savoie: On Monday, July 27 a total of 13 individuals within the Marlins organization tested positive for coronavirus, prompting an intersquad outbreak (that number has since risen to 20 as of July 31). The MLB was quick to respond, postponing the Marlins’ upcoming series against the Orioles, as well as that of the Yankees and Phillies, the latter of whom had just played the Marlins prior to their diagnosis. 

Do I feel this situation is being handled adequately? That’s hard to say. As thankful as I am that baseball is back, it makes me question just how worthwhile it is to be able to watch America’s favorite pastime amidst a global pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 154,000 Americans (of the over 690,000 individuals worldwide who have lost their lives). I understand the appeal — with life as we knew it having been flipped upside down since March, the allure of something so familiar, something so fun is appealing.

Of course we want to cozy up on our couch and watch baseball, something that allows us to forget about the virus that has traversed the globe. However, this virus doesn’t care about how badly we want baseball to happen. The truth is, nobody is immune, including the players and coaches we so desperately are relying on for entertainment amidst the chaos. I think that the MLB is doing what it can, given the circumstances. But is it enough? How realistic is it to continue the season, when cases within organizations started popping up a mere five days in?

It’s a definite red flag, and given the fact that the Phillies and Cardinals have also started seeing cases within their own clubs, doesn’t provide a promising outlook for the remainder of this unique campaign. Rob Manfred himself came out with a statement promising the continuation of this season, despite the difficulties that have arisen over the past week. Manfred put the blame on the players for their positive test results, rather than considering the fact that maybe (just maybe) the MLB itself was at fault for even having a season to begin with (and one that isn’t being played in a bubble), let alone for failing to hit the brakes at a time like this. 

People need to start putting human lives before money. A season is profitable, but the MLB must stop and consider the actual cost, the one that extends beyond just finances — the one that encompasses humanity.

– RS

When following the COVID-19 outbreaks that are currently plaguing the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals organizations, I look back at a July 1st interview on the Dan Patrick Show with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. During the interview Manfred states, “the reality is we weren’t going to play more than 60 games no matter how the negotiation with the players went or any other factor.” If Manfred had a 60-game season planned over the past few months, why are new policies such as seven-inning doubleheaders and requiring each team to have a COVID protocol compliance officer being implemented after the beginning of the season? I suspect that top league officials did not spend enough time prioritizing the health and safety of the players before Opening Day.

While I am discouraged about Manfred’s handling of the situation, the players have not managed these circumstances well either. We are not 100% certain where the two ball clubs initially contracted the virus, however, multiple reports indicate that these teams have been extremely lackadaisical in following safety protocols during their road trips. The careless effort to remain safe during this pandemic has not only impacted the Cardinals and Marlins themselves; it has also affected six other teams as they must make-up several postponed games in a short time window. I’m not too confident that the season will continue on for much longer as members of the MLB at every level seem unprepared to play a full season amid the pandemic.

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