As the league and union engage in some pre-bargaining media battles regarding player pay in a coronavirus-altered 2020 season, it’s worth remembering that health and safety remain the top priorities. Many of the players themselves have emphasized as much in recent public comments.
Athletics southpaw Jake Diekman is among those focused on health precautions, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. He’s potentially at risk due to his ulcerative colitis condition and is also concerned with the well-being of his young family.
Testing could offer a means of dealing with the matter. Diekman conveyed optimism over starting up a campaign. But he also noted the need to consider broader public health considerations, posing the question: “if they’re going to test us all the time, are we taking tests from people who really need it?”
Fellow lefty Sean Doolittle of the Nationals also weighed in with a long and thoughtful Twitter thread. He focused on both the many potential ways that COVID-19 could impact players — even those that don’t know of preexisting conditions — in addition to the need to protect all the other workers associated with the game.
In a longer look at multiple perspectives, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic gathered the thoughts of many players that have known risk factors in a subscription piece. The consensus seems to be that they’re ready to play with adequate precautions. But as Rosenthal also notes, for all those whose underlying conditions are known, there are many players who are dealing with health concerns of which the public is not aware. And many are also surely worrying about loved ones at home.
Still doubt the seriousness of the matter from the players’ perspective? Cardinals hurler and union leader Andrew Miller — ironically, the third lefty reliever cited in this post — tells Rosenthal it is truly the chief concern: “We’re wasting our breath with everything else if we don’t have that under wraps.”
That’s not to say there isn’t a clear financial element to the MLB-MLBPA grappling. Rosenthal notes that the players are particularly determined to hold the line on salary because of the extra health risks of playing during a pandemic.
While he’s not a current player, recently retired hurler Phil Hughes weighed in on Twitter. He says that “players won’t be strong-armed into unsafe work conditions and unfair compensation” — a characterization that drew some rebukes on everyone’s favorite forum for social interaction.
We’ve been through this millionaires vs. billionaires discussion innumerable times before and surely will keep doing so as long as Major League Baseball exists. As ever, it’s only fair to note that, while many of the athletes are extremely well-compensated, earnings are condensed to generally short playing careers and most professional ballplayers will never see big money. And even the richest players are still far less wealthy than the owners on the other side of the table.
It’s never pleasant to see relatively advantaged parties squabbling over riches, but surely players shouldn’t be blamed for generally seeking the best possible conditions and compensation they can bargain for from ownership within a given set of circumstances. Indeed, that’s just what the collective bargaining process entails. In this case, both sides of the game’s economic system have quite a lot to gain from structuring a smart resumption of play — and quite a lot to lose from a breakdown in talks or a bungled re-launch.
davidk1979
Welp no season
BuddyBoy
Welp…sky is falling!!
paddyo furnichuh
Not exactly, The Sky is Crying…
Billy Mumphreys Downfall
The sky is falling for these babies lol and I’m loving it. It’s funny watching out of shape slobs cry over not having sports to watch for one measly year
astros2017
And yet here you are on a baseball site
Billy Mumphreys Downfall
And yet here you are thinking this means I’m not a baseball fan. Imbecile. Btw F the asterisks. Your team isn’t getting off cheaply because of this virus. No ones forgetting
tigersfan1320
It’s disappointing to see guys like Diekman and Doolittle raise the legitimate concerns of starting the season, and just see them get bombarded with hate on twitter. These guys are presenting serious issues that should definitely be taken into consideration and people don’t seem to care
dray16
Doolittle’s thread was very thoughtful and a good read. he doesn’t care people are going to trash him, he knew they would, he’s speaking for a lot of other players that share the same thoughts. players with young kids, pre-existing conditions and other concerns.
paddyo furnichuh
Doolittle is one of the more articulate, witty, and entertaining athletes on social media In my limited awareness. Simply for that, his opinions carry plenty of weight.
Old User Name
Doolittle was on Jayson Stark’s podcast and talked about his wife who has very bad asthma.She is someone at a hgh risk for complications from COBID. I can see why some players are hesitant to play.
Old User Name
*high risk
*COVID
SaoMagnifico
Loving baseball means valuing the guys who make it possible…the players, the coaches, the broadcasters, the stadium workers, team trainers, attendants, bus drivers…am I forgetting anyone? Um…
I really really really REALLY want baseball back, even with a DH, even with no interdivision play, even with ties, maybe (maaaaybe) even with that stupid automatic runner on second base. But the billionaires staging this thing need to do right by everyone it takes to bring baseball to us, the paying audience, or it’s not gonna happen and it shouldn’t. Nothing is 100% safe, but there needs to be extensive planning around this like Doolittle says.
ekrog
What about everyone else that has to go to work so they can eat? Cry me a river.
Kapler's Coconut Oil
The same logic applies to the billionaires running other industries too. You could have easily used the comment as a moment of solidarity instead of trying to divide workers
ekrog
I wasn’t trying to divide anything. I’m sick of cry babies unwilling to live their life because is a virus that is proving to be way overblown.
phamdownbytheriver
Just substitute the word flu for coronavirus as see how nuts this is. Protect those who need it and allow the rest to live their lives as they see fit. We will never eliminate all the risks of living.
I ❤ Sports
Ask the families of the 80k people that have died if it is overblown. You can put yourself & your family @ risk by being a dumb ass but you do not have a right to endanger mine. You are probably one of the flakes that don’t wash your hands, wear a mask or use social distancing. #asymptomatic.
I ❤ Sports
You do you & die while doing it! I’m sick of illiterate degenerates like you. Obviously you haven’t had anyone sick or die of this pandemic. I have but you are the only one that matters. I believe in karma.
88winespodiodie
But to sociopaths, some risks are more acceptable than others: poverty, injustice, lack of compassion, militarism, nuclear weapons — the very tools the wealthy over-privileged corporatists and their political shills use to lord over the entire world. You’re a sick sheep, pham.
ScottCFA
88whine and Heartsports sound like whining underachiever. Go out and make something of yourselves rather than whining about “the man.”
raisinsss
Go talk about them on EveryoneElseCovidRumors.com.
I ❤ Sports
Taking a page from the Trumpster, I see. Me, Me, Me. Screw everyone else.
astros2017
You got some issues bro, there are places you can go to get help man
Relax, getting so upset on a message board isn’t good for your health
hOsEbEeLiOn
DH for both leagues.
It’s optional if guys want to play; if they choose not to they don’t get paid for the year, but their choice none the less.
Pick 2 cities and surrounding areas to host 15 teams. Top 4 teams make the playoffs from each city. Winner from each city plays for WS.
Start in June that way you can have “off” days planned so 14 teams are playing daily. Ideally you have 4 ballparks near the city to just play with no fans so you can have 4pm games and 7pm games. 7 innings.
nowheretogobutup
Agree with some of your message, guys who don’t want to play fine, bring up the rooks for replacement, no play no pay. ST begins in Mid June for three weeks then the season starts July12. Testing each morning for the 26 players and coaches. No fans don’t know how that’s going to work. Have the players do a silent vote and see how many would be open to playing in mid July. If more than 5 players on ave. do not want to play then call it a season and its over. After all this 2021 would be the best option.
ThePeople'sElbow
let’s let the baseball players dictate to you the conditions of your employment – huh?
hOsEbEeLiOn
You don’t work you don’t get paid.
A lot of jobs laid people off because they weren’t able to pay them.
Why should someone working for a hotel company be laid off and not paid cause they’re unable to work since the business isn’t making money but baseball players should be paid if they choose to not work?
I’d love to hear you defend players willingly choosing to sit out and still be expected to be paid for doing nothing. Should be a good laugh.
astros2017
Problem with this thinking is…right now those hotel workers will bring home more money on unemployment, not so with ball players
If health conditions keep us from having a season it is what it is
If finances between the rich and richer keep us from having a season, screw both sides
I ❤ Sports
Right on. There will always be a player waiting in the minors for there big break to play in the biggies.
ThePeople'sElbow
do you understand how a unionized workforce with a CBA works?
WorthlessDropInTheMonty
This is a really stupid plan. Retarded, actually!!!
hOsEbEeLiOn
Huh. Who thought you’d be so stupid you couldn’t figure out how to stick a fork in an outlet. I underestimated your stupidity. You must not know what a fork is. Your mother must still breast feed you.
Here’s a new science experiment. Take a bath with a toaster plugged in.
WorthlessDropInTheMonty
Here’s an experiment- come up with a plan that isn’t so stupid. If you’re going to comment, come up with something that isn’t retarded.
hOsEbEeLiOn
Says the chicken who hasn’t posted their plan to resume baseball activities.
Let me guess. Daddy will help you with that when he’s done wrestling mommy? Sorry. Mommy only calls him daddy. He’s not your actual daddy. No he ran off after you were born.
hOsEbEeLiOn
well it’s been fun man but I got to run we just got a call about an unconscious female with a toothbrush stuck up her butt. You better go check on your mom.
WorthlessDropInTheMonty
You aren’t funny. Do better. Or do the world a favor and don’t comment. Your plan was even dumber than this comment.
fs54
I love baseball. I miss baseball. But asking players, coaches, and so many other folks to risk their lives just to entertain us does not seem reasonable, it seems cruel. I genuinely don’t understand this rush to start the season.
prov356
I don’t know where you get your information, but players, who are generally in phenomenal shape, are not risking their lives to play baseball. You are perpetuating the irrational fear the media has sold America.
Tom
You might be right…they might not be risking their lives, but they might be risking the lives of ones they love. None of us—regular folks, doctors, politicians—truly know what this virus is or does to you. In some ways, yes, the reaction is way overblown, and being driven to promote fear and control. But it’s also dangerous too. As someone who sees both ends of the spectrum—that the media has overblown this outrageously, and who has already lost two family members to Covid—it’s not all black and white. But when it comes down to it, baseball is about money. The owners and players are going to fight over every last nickel, and that’s why there will be no baseball in 2020.
prov356
Hi Tom – Thanks for the response and I am sorry to hear about your family members who passed away. I have four friends and one family member get sick but they have all recovered.
My only concern for baseball is the non-player staff like coaches and managers, many of whom fall into a high risk category. But I think it will be easy enough to protect them through a controlled environment.
WorthlessDropInTheMonty
Perhaps you haven’t heard about the 70,000 corpses? Did the “media” make that up too? Dingletards like you that voted a gameshow host to the presidency are exacty why this country is circling the toilet bowl.
prov356
Ahhhh Monty – a typical response filled with name calling instead of facts. Please do some research that doesn’t include the agenda driven media. The country stayed open in 2018 when we had 80,000 corpses from the seasonal flu.
fs54
Oh please do tell us what social distancing was practiced back then that led to 80000 dying instead of more.
prov356
fs – I don’t understand your argument here.
sirandrews
This right here, is why education needs more funding.
fs54
Did we practice social distancing in 2018? I don’t think so. This time around, with social distancing, 80000 still died. Why does some folk keep saying media is hyping this virus unnecessarily? What do they have to gain?
pjnuge
The issue is primarily nursing homes and NYC/NJ. they account for most of the deaths. This disease does not cause the amount of illness that the flu, atypical pneumonias or RSV do in young adults. There is no reason not to allow healthy young men play sport. Flattening the curve only decreases deaths in the short term at the beginning when the healthcare system mignt be overwhelmed, which it hasnt been. Prolonging social distancing prolongs the existence of the disease in society and it is time for us to live our lives with the appropriate precautions for the elderly and those with chronic diseases.. The mortality rate for those less than 45 in the epicenter of NYC is 0.016%,. The facts do not support strict quarantining.
fs54
Oh I forgot all players are healthiest species on the planet, without any underlying conditions and won’t be interacting with anyone older or younger than themselves.
prov356
fs – The people are who are considered high risk are the same people who are at high risk if they were to catch the seasonal flu. The recommendations are also the same.
Vizionaire
generally speaking,european football(soccer) players are in much better shape. spain’s la liga’s first and second divisions have found 5 players infected. south korea’s numerous youngsters were infected in night clubs. so young and active people are no exceptions!
astros2017
Prov is right, the most danger they would be in would be driving to the stadium each day
trout27
I agree fs54. The reopening of by states prematurely will cause the death tolls to increase. Look at Korea, they had to close down baseball after just one week because of big increases in Covid-19 cases. If we love the game then we should hope that the season doesn’t start until there are adequate test kits available. The players and their families are way more important than at most, a half season of MLB.
I love the game as much as anyone, my mood can depend on wether the Angels won or lost the night before. I am willing to go without the game until 2021 when it may be much safer to play and have fans in the stand.
astros2017
Yo trout, they are literally playing as I type in Korea, like right this second the KBO is playing games, I’m watching one that I have money on
pjnuge
The issue is primarily nursing homes and NYC/NJ. they account for most of the deaths. This disease does not cause the amount of illness that the flu, atypical pneumonias or RSV do in young adults. There is no reason not to allow healthy young men play sport. Flattening the curve only decreases deaths in the short term at the beginning when the healthcare system mignt be overwhelmed, which it hasnt been. Prolonging social distancing prolongs the existence of the disease in society and it is time for us to live our lives with the appropriate precautions for the elderly and those with chronic diseases.. The mortality rate for those less than 45 in the epicenter of NYC is 0.016%,. The facts do not support strict quarantining.
pjnuge
people will die regardless, social distancing and quarantining to flatten the curve was posited to reduce deaths and prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed which didnt happen. The longer we distance the longer the virus lasts in our community, the more people will die and our economy will collapse. There is no reason for young men NOT to compete in athletics, the death rate among that age group id miniscule.
whynot 2
So your answer to a global pandemic is let it rip!
prov356
whynot – you need to listen and consider other perspectives rather than latch on to the fear mongering you’ve been fed. Don’t be so dismissive and narrow minded. If you do your own research based on facts, not media hype, and you still believe this is as serious as reported, then that’s your informed opinion. But don’t disregard that there are those of us who disagree with you and have equally valid opinions.
pjnuge
Yep for those whose mortality rate is 0.016% similar to the flu and less than the death rate in that age group to overdose deaths
prov356
Don’t let facts get in the way of a good agenda.
DTD_ATL
But it’s ok to ask everyone else working to risk theirs, right? That’s textbook hypocrisy.
Vizionaire
did baseball players ask those to work in unsafe conditions? get real!
DTD_ATL
Vizionaire, yet again, you manage to lower the bar in the comment section.
Vizionaire
dtd? dumb tea dumdum!
ekrog
Lots of people are working with much greater potential for getting COVID-19 than baseball players. What about them?? Get a grip.
raisinsss
Two wrongs don’t make a ______.
astros2017
Fs54
You don’t really think they are negotiating to start playing because they want to entertain us do you?
Possibly it could have something to do with the millions of dollars they will make? Maybe?
padresfaithful76
Typical Jeff Todd… missing the biggest issue.
A NL DH.
If they implement the DH rule in the National League I am boycotting.
The game would not be the same without the power hitting pitchers like Bartolo Colon.
#NLDHBOYCOTT
nowheretogobutup
Doesn’t matter DH or not, there trying to speed up the game doesn’t bother me.
I just think the season should be cancelled, too many players are worried and rightly so. The consensus is the virus will come back in the fall then what? What if one player per team comes down with the virus that can spread to five or ten others, the season would be cancelled then anyway.
BuddyBoy
If you have testing, you can mitigate the concern. Its obvious that someone will test positive, particularly initially. As long as they have her safeguards and plans in place it’s not a need to stop things.
BuddyBoy
Good bye!
hOsEbEeLiOn
Game “would not be the same” lmao. Game hasn’t been the same in decades man.
Baseball was originally just played by Caucasians. There was a negro league. That’s no longer a thing.
We use to have signs indicate score. Now we have electronic scoreboards.
Umps use to have final call. Feelings got hurt over bad calls and now we have video replay. Things like Galaraga losing a no hitter cause the ump incorrectly called the dude safe at first.
When baseball was first played they use to catch balls with their hands and no gear. Hitters use to wear hats not batting helmets. Catchers didn’t have gloves. Mystery at the museum has a great episode on this.
NL and AL teams never played. Then we got interleague play and now we play whomever really.
Analytics was never a thing back in the 70s And 80s. Now it’s all teams base their stuff off of. Charlie Morton literally threw a ridiculous amount of curve balls to the Yankees when he pitched for the Astros cause analytics told him to. Managers and catchers use to call games. Computers now inform those decisions.
The DH wasn’t even a thing till the 1970s lmao….literally 100 or so years after baseball started the DH was invented.
They changed sliding rules couple years ago cause of a playoff game.
Check it out for yourself. Baseball changes. Get over it.
baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml
WorthlessDropInTheMonty
So systematic racism has anything to do with the stupid dh rule? I can hear you getting dumber.
hOsEbEeLiOn
HiStoRy
I’m sorry. Is outlining how baseball rules have changed since the late 1800s too long for you to read that you were only able to read the first example I wrote?
How embarrassing for you man.
WorthlessDropInTheMonty
I’m not embarrassed because of your third grade reading level essay full of stupid analogies. Don’t expect to post that kind of drivel without getting called out fattie!!!
hOsEbEeLiOn
Examples*
I listed examples of when baseball rules changed.
Lmao. Do you seriously not know what an analogy is? Holy crap. That’s hysterical.
Home school basement education really paying off huh?
Basebal101
Worthless….your pathetic. You turning what he said into racism is beyond absurd. It’s people like you that are the cause of so much unnecessary violence & hatred in the world. Although I’m sure your too blind to ever see it.
whynot 2
It was a perfect game that was ruined if I remember correctly
James1955
padresfaithful76. Always empty threats. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
dalrob
The “their career is short” argument used to be valid but is. I more. The average American will be lucky to earn 3 million during their entire lifetime. I have no patience for whining by a mediocre relief pitcher ( not those quoted in the story) who makes 5 or 6 million a year. Health concerns are legitimate, not being compensated properly is not.
dalrob
Is not
astros2017
Yep I’m 53 and have worked since I was 16, still haven’t reached 2 million….and have a great life
Tom
All of this is nonsense. There is not going to be a baseball season this year. Forget about the health issues, it’s going to come down to money, like it always does. The owners want the players to take less (than they’ve already agreed to), and the players aren’t going to go for that. The owners will realize that it’ll cost more to play the games in empty stadiums and pay the players fully (pro-rated, as it is), then to just close their door.
No baseball in 2020, so none of the arguments really matter.
ekrog
It should be. Nothing should have been shut down in hindsight. Get back to living.
dray16
Stop bringing up optional play, there’s zero chance that can happen. they’re either going to play or not, there are contracts that exist and telling players they can play if they if they want will not fly. it’ll be up to the union and they will certainly have the players backs. there isn’t going to be baseball this year, get used to it, get over it, move on.
tedtheodorelogan
My dad is of compromised health and has been tested 3 times. Doesn’t seem to be a problem getting tested if you want to.
whynot 2
Lucky for him but his situation is not representative of the entire country. It’s true that 90+ different tests have been approved, but we still don’t know how accurate they all are. Refusing to admit that sufficient testing is not yet available is not helpful for anyone.
astros2017
Whynot I can’t speak for other areas, but I drive past multiple testing sites in Houston daily and there is almost no one there. And you do not have to have symptoms to get tested, I decided to get a test, signed in, and drove right up and was tested within 10 minutes.
whynot 2
Lucky for you, but that is not the case everywhere. Once that is the reality for everyone, then we can talk about fully opening things up. As the situation with VP’s press secretary clearly illustrates, you need to have consistent testing. She repeatedly tested negative until she didn’t, we all need to have that level of access to testing
whynot 2
You comment has been annoying me all night. Do you not realize that his compromised health is the reason he gets to jump the line and given access to the limited testing available? When resources are limited, doctors will need to prioritize who gets tested, of course it makes sense to use those tests on those at greater risk.
SaoMagnifico
Loving baseball means valuing the guys who make it possible…the players, the coaches, the broadcasters, the stadium workers, team trainers, attendants, bus drivers…am I forgetting anyone? Um…
I really really really REALLY want baseball back, even with a DH, even with no interdivision play, even with ties, maybe (maaaaybe) even with that stupid automatic runner on second base. But the billionaires staging this thing need to do right by everyone it takes to bring baseball to us, the paying audience, or it’s not gonna happen and it shouldn’t. Nothing is 100% safe, but there needs to be extensive planning around this like Doolittle says.
DTD_ATL
They brought up some legit issues. What they didn’t bring up is the 0.5% death rate so…
whynot 2
Do a little thinking before posting. The death rate has been kept in check because of the extraordinary measures taken. Opening up too early or without a clear executable plan and you will see that death rate raise
prov356
whynot – “The death rate has been kept in check because of the extraordinary measures taken.”
That’s not supported by facts. 7 states issued no stay at home orders and those states occupy 7 of the bottom 10 ranks for deaths per 100,000 population, which is the standard. The greatest of those states had 5 deaths per 100,000.
whynot 2
So you are saying if NY/NJ/CT had not taken the steps they did that the total of deaths would not be much different? The states you are referencing are largely rural states which aided them in avoiding the effects of the pandemic. You know what else aided in keeping their numbers low? The extraordinary steps taken by states like NY, NJ and CT. The strain that has affected the US came from Europe and you know where a large number of European inbound flights stop… that’s right NY/NJ and Chicago, which don’t you know is another place highly affected by the virus. Facts matter buddy, how about learning a few
AndyMeyer
Those 7 states have rural populations. North and South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas. Of course the numbers will be lower
Basebal101
Whynot you are completely accurate. Don’t your time w ignorant people of the world these days though man, it’s pointless. You could spell it out right in front of them and their still gonna try and twist it in a way that best suits them. It’s a selfish world we now live in.
ThePeople'sElbow
yeah and what’s the population density of those states? SD, ND, Idaho, Wyoming, are not representative of the nation at large considering they don’t have a major metropolitan area of even 750K.
DTD_ATL
You’re such a good little sheep.
AndyMeyer
Depends on the shepherd you follow
DonB34
New York Times says today that 1/3 of all COVID deaths were people living in nursing homes. Any baseball being played in nursing homes? Nearly half the deaths have been in New York also. I mean, when you boil it down, there are small factions that are most effected. The average age of death is like 73 years old. Some of us have been at work every day for 2 months. Not because we wanted to, but because the government said we we essential. I’m not dead yet.
astros2017
Also Cuomo himself recently said that over 60% of the new cases over the last month were people who had been staying at home and not “essential workers”
whynot 2
Let’s assume that indeed 33% of deaths have occurred in nursing homes. That means the rest have occurred in the general population. Those numbers have been suppressed by the stay at home orders put in place in many places. If those orders are lifted too early, before the doctors and scientist recommend to do so, you will end up with the number of cases and deaths in the general population spiking. It is simple logic.
prov356
whynot – Since there is no way to prove a negative, you have to use critical thinking. The standard is deaths per 100,000 because that takes into consideration density of the area surveyed. But if there was such an issue with this virus, why didn’t Cuomo completely shut down the subway system instead of for brief moments? That would be the most effective in stopping the spread of a disease. I proffer it’s because this entire exercise is agenda driven.
whynot 2
If you knew anything about NYC you would know that closing the subway system for an extended period of time would be extremely detrimental. So many of the essential workers keeping the city going rely on that system. Keeping it running at reduced levels was a calculated risk they needed to taken
prov356
whynot – you can’t have it both ways. Either this is a serious problem with serious consequences or it’s not. If it’s as serious as you have said and the media has reported, the logical step to prevent the spread in New York would have been to close the subway. The fact that they didn’t is direct evidence that this is agenda driven.
whynot 2
So in your mind anything short of marital law means there is nothing to worry about?
astros2017
Whynot
The CDC site itself says over 80K deaths, but If you dig deeper on their own site you see that right at half of those never tested positive for Covid, they just had “symptoms “
Meanwhile flu deaths are at an all time low
I don’t support either side in politics, neither side cares about we the people. But unfortunately almost every democrat supports the stay home as long as we can side and almost every republican supports the let’s ignore it side….so I’m left to just look at the numbers, and they just don’t add up
Unfortunately both sides have an agenda, almost all of the doctors and scientists are on one side or the other, so they mostly say what they need to not what they actually believe
If you ignore all the politics and media reports and look at the numbers
It just don’t add up
whynot 2
You can try to make the numbers fit your narrative all you want but it doesn’t change the facts. The vast majority of doctors and scientists are supportive of keeping things closed until the proper testing levels are available and viable re-opening plans are set and executable. They are not as you say on one side or the other. There is no democrat or republican agenda behind this, is just a smart vs a dumb approach to dealing with a health and economic issue.
Basebal101
Astros….what does that have to do w anything?! You can only control, what you can. Keeping non essentials is one thing that can rightfully be. I went to the lake this weekend that just opened. There was boat after boat W 10-15 stupid people in it. How many of those morons could have been infected that would skew the stats if they are non essential workers? You people will twist things anyway you can you to make it favor yourself, instead of using an ounce of common sense.
sufferforsnakes
“And even the richest players are still far less wealthy than the owners on the other side of the table.”
As it should be. Otherwise, you don’t have a business.
prov356
I’ve never worked for anyone who had less money than me.
smoke333
Opinions of the players would stand better if they weren’t getting paid… like those furloughed workers at the hotels, airports and stadium workers Doolittle was writing about… everyone understands the virus and it’s lethal ability on the elderly and people with preexisting conditions…how many of you have been to a Wal-Matt or Lowe’s or Target lately? Very crowded with people taking precautions… it’s time to play… the players are putting themselves and baseball in a hole for the future… if they don’t play this year do you think they have a bargaining position next year? What are they going to do sit out 2 years in a row…they would damage the game for years to come…. The NFL will start mini camps shortly and those will be televised if there is no baseball… The NFL will have a captive audience… I would watch MLB spring training workouts if they were televised right now and so would most sports people…If a player doesn’t want to play don’t play but let those that want to play play…
Rangers29
Just last week I was thinking that a season WILL be played in 2020, and now I have second thoughts. Guys like Diekman, Kyle Gibson, and Carlos Carrasco are all at risk players (sample portion, obviously), and if they catch it, it could be life threatening. If we can find the safest route to play again, then great, but right now… I am on the fence.
tedtheodorelogan
The safest route would be for guys like that, or those who live with people in poor health, to take the year off.
Vizionaire
s. korea is feeling generous so they will send 2 million units of test kits. baseball may be safely played some time this year
ekrog
Life threatening just like the flu.
Vizionaire
yup, try traveling to n.y.!
whynot 2
Would you be so cavalier about it if you or someone close to you got it? I think not. Keep living in your bubble and hope it never bursts.
ekrog
Scientific, not cavalier: medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.24.20075291v1
Get out of your bubble of sensationalistic news.
ThePeople'sElbow
Preprints are preliminary reports of work that have not been certified by peer review. They should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
whynot 2
Just because you wish it not to be true it doesn’t make it sensationalistic.
22222pete
Peer review is just a censoring tool. Its not like anyone is validating data. Einstein never had a paper that was peer reviewed. It was unheard of until after WWII. Even with peer review most of them are wrong (science is about learning from mistakes) and some are fraudulent. The Pharmaceutical companies control the journals based on advertising and purchasing of prints for distribution to clients. All their studies fly through (no matter how bad or wrong) but those studies that contradict their own are censored with peer review.
An utterly corrupt system.
whynot 2
Picture that comment in Eeyore’s voice, it’s makes it 100% more entertaining
WorthlessDropInTheMonty
It’s ok the pandemic is fictional just ask the trumptards. They are all scientists. Especially their bleach drinking obese mascot.
DonB34
Believe it or not, everyone’s life isn’t driven by democrat vs republican. There are people who couldn’t care less what politicians on either side think. You can be a hardcore union democrat that’s worried about mouths to feed at home and want to get back to work. Or a republican that is generally concerned for their health and wants to self-quarantine. It’s literally stupid that when people have an opinion about a VIRUS, people like yourselves are automatically spouting Trump or Fox News or CNN or whatever. Some people can formulate their own opinion that has nothing to do with politics or biased news outlets
.
ekrog
Or an moderate, non-partisan scientist who takes the time to learn the facts about COVID-19. Time to get back to living our lives.
ThePeople'sElbow
better get started on replicating all those bogus studies you’re espousing then, Mr. Scientist.
astros2017
Don
Unfortunately there are very very few of us left, a massive percentage of the population is solidly on one side of the politics spectrum or the other. Most simply listen to their side and repeat what they hear
As long as government can solidly divide us, they have us under their control
It’s sad what our nation has become
retire21
Worthless, I am in agreement with the spirit of most of your posts, but I am asking you to please, please stop with the various “tard” comments. To make fun of someone for a condition that they have is reprehensible.
californiaangels
play ball. if you wana sit out because you are concerned that’s fine, see you in 2021
astros2017
Cal angels
Doubtful we would see them next year. One thing doctors on both sides are pretty much in agreement on is as a virus, this will almost certainly come back next flu season, and if there is no true vaccine it will come back regularly same as the flu.
And before anyone loses it, no I’m not calling this virus the flu, just saying both are viral and will come back with the cold weather if no true vaccine exists
DR J
I’m ready to hear what players think other than .222 avg Iannetta, 4.65 ERA Diekman, 4.45 ERA Miller and 4.05 ERA Doolittle. All player opinions matter but where are the All-Star opinions?
DR J
Jake Diekman will be happy to know that IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) is not a risk factor according to March 17th Pubmed study.
Rallyshirt
I don’t know any fans who want fundamental changes to the game. Nobody wants instant replay, pitch timers, robo-umps, half seasons getting called off after more confirmed cases.
Seems to me this is an irresponsible cash grab, with some PR representing only commercial interests. Fans will sit here and be happy baseball is back while Geico decides what’s to be done about those extra-inning games.
22222pete
If you look at CDC fatality figures by age you see this is not much of a concern for anyone under 55. Especially under 35.
Open up. Keep fans and reporters over 55 from attending as they are highest risk. Managers and coaches , and older umps will have to wear Hazmat suits
I’d probably require Boston and NY teams to play in ST facilities in Florida or Arizona. California extending lockdowns for 3 months for some reason so maybe them too
letmeclearmythroat74
I really hope they get this thing rolling with limited negotiations. The last thing the world needs right now is billionaires and millionaires bickering back and forth. The world is going through a lot right now and these guys need to put themselves in check and just play ball.