Nationals P Sean Doolittle raises significant questions about viability of MLB plan

By Jesse Reed

·Updated: May 11, 2020

The MLB owners approved a plan to get the 2020 season started in July Monday. Washington Nationals pitcher Sean Doolittle has concerns.

Sean Doolittle Twitter thread goes into detail about significant questions for MLB plan

In a lengthy, detailed thread on his Twitter account, Doolittle raised some serious, thoughtful questions about the viability of MLB’s plan to start the season this summer.

These questions center around “health protections for players, families, staff, stadium workers and the workforce it would require to resume a season.”

Doolittle provided a bunch of links from reliable publications to back up his questions.

Here is the Twitter thread in full:

Because this is a novel virus, there is still so much we don't know – including the long-term effects. On top of respiratory issues, there's been evidence of kidney, intestinal, and liver damage, as well as neurological malfunctions, blood clots & strokes. https://t.co/rXD3vJRpoH
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

Research has shown Covid-19 may cause issues with male hormone ratios – even in younger men, which could lead to fertility complications. Not ideal. Extremely suboptimal. Zero stars. https://t.co/M7JknHBmdM
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

And we've learned that you release the most virus into your environment prior to symptoms even showing. So how frequently will we be testing to stay ahead of a potential spread and to mitigate as much risk as possible? https://t.co/ITimbAdfvl
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

So how many tests do we need to safely play during a pandemic? And not just tests for players. Baseball requires a massive workforce besides the players; coaches, clubhouse staff, security, grounds crews, umpires, gameday stadium staff, TV & media…we need to protect everyone.
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

We need to consider what level of risk we're willing to assume. 80% of cases are considered mild, but what if a player, a staff member, an auxiliary worker, or a family member gets a case that's in the 20% and they develop severe symptoms or chronic issues? 1 feels like too many?
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

And if even mild cases can cause long-term health effects, will there be added healthcare benefits for players, staff and workers that will extend beyond their employment and into retirement to mitigate the unknown risks of putting on a baseball season during a pandemic?
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

Hopefully these concerns will be addressed in MLB's proposal, first and foremost: 1) what's the plan to ethically acquire enough tests? 2) what's the protocol if a player, staff member, or worker contracts the virus? We want to play. And we want everyone to stay safe.
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

Following the lengthy Twitter thread, Doolittle apologized and wrote, “I had to get that out of my system.” He also made it clear that he hopes “we get to play baseball for you again soon” and that he’s “not mad.”

Oh, pic.twitter.com/hjPeXJP4su
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

The list of concerns Doolittle raised is extremely well thought out. Likely, he is far from the only MLB player who has these same concerns. It’s going to be fascinating to see how MLB, and other sports leagues, addresses them.