It didn’t seem likely that we would get a 2020 season…but here we are. It’s July 31st, 2020 and the San Francisco Giants are playing a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California. However, I consider this game - and every game during the 2020 Major League Baseball season - a gift and possibly the last of the season.
With the way the virus has already spread this season throughout the league within the first few days of the season, it would feel like nothing less than a miracle to actually get through a 60-game season and witness any type of playoff baseball in 2020. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred basically agrees and, per ESPN, told MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark on Friday that if the sport doesn't do a better job of managing the coronavirus, it could shut down for the season.
This near-nightmare (Manfred insists it’s not a nightmare scenario yet… well, in that case, it’s a pretty terrible dream) began with the Miami Marlins, who, despite at least four positive tests within the organization, went forward with their game on Sunday against the Phillies. Since then, at least 16 more Marlins have tested positive as well as multiple members of the Phillies. Neither team has been able to get a game in since. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals announced this morning that two of their players also tested positive and the game between the Cards and Brewers would be postponed.
Because players, coaches and managers have been caught multiple times on camera violating all the basic coronavirus-related rules such as spitting on the field, it stands to reason their behavior is even worse behind the scenes. There are rumors that the Marlins decided to have a night out in Atlanta, which led to the original outbreak.
It is possible that if every player, coach, manager and employee took the coronavirus threat seriously and did everything they could to social distance and stay away from this virus, no games would have to be postponed. This may be a dream scenario, however. And even if over 1,000 people suddenly became this disciplined, what about the players families? Players do go home during home stands and could easily pick up the virus from their loved ones.
At the end of the day, the season is looking more fragile than ever. Just like the expression that every day is a gift - every GAME is a gift in 2020. Don’t take them for granted.. the last one could be any day.