It was always going to be tricky to start the 2020 MLB season amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic around the United States. Unlike the NBA and NHL, baseball is being played outside of a bubble.
This brings a lot of issues to the forefront. Immaturity from players and the danger of travel are two things that come to mind. Sadly, these fears have been met with reality over the first week of the season.
A total of 20% of the teams around the league have already seen games postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests. Over half of the Miami Marlins’ active roster has tested positive.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred then issued a warning to MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark and the players. If the sport doesn’t do a better job managing the virus, it could shut down for the season by Monday.
Isn’t this cute? Manfred and the league has failed at pretty much every turn since the start of the season was initially suspended back in March. From economic issues with the players to insisting on teams playing in their home venues, it’s been a complete disaster from the league’s part.
Players and teams have to do their part. That’s known. But the failure of leadership from the commissioner’s office has been the biggest issue. The MLB world reacted in kind to Manfred’s threat on Friday. Said reactions did not paint him in the best of lights. That’s for sure.