The Major League Baseball season got off to a rocky start when 14 Miami Marlins players and staff tested positive for Covid-19 during a three-game series in Philadelphia.
Commissioner Rob Manfred held a press conference on the MLB Network to answer questions about the impact the Marlin’s outbreak would have on the season. “We think we can keep people safe and continue to play,” he assured. “It’s not a positive thing, but I don’t see it as a nightmare. We build the protocols to allow us to continue to play.”
Watch Commissioner Manfred’s entire interview with Tom Verducci on MLB Tonight. pic.twitter.com/oAyJ1NoEyk
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 27, 2020
The Philly’s Monday game against the Yankees was cancelled, as were the Marlin’s Monday and Tuesday games against Baltimore. The league is conducting additional Covid-19 tests, and if the results are acceptable, Manfred says the Marlins will play against the Orioles on Wednesday.
When pressed for answers about what it would take to cancel the entire season, “A team losing a number of players that rendered it completely non-competitive would be an issue that we would have to address,” Manfred replied. “The same thing with respect to league-wide.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who botched his ceremonial first pitch at the National’s opener, is hopeful that the Marlin’s outbreak is an anomaly and the season will be able to continue.
President Donald Trump, who mocked Fauci for hitting the dirt, was scheduled to throw at the Yankees’ home opener on August 15, but wisely pulled out.
Trump cited his “strong focus on the China Virus,” for cancelling, but suggested rescheduling for later in the season.
Time and testing will tell if he’ll get the opportunity to show up Fauci, or have to wait until next season to pitch.
Because of my strong focus on the China Virus, including scheduled meetings on Vaccines, our economy and much else, I won’t be able to be in New York to throw out the opening pitch for the @Yankees on August 15th. We will make it later in the season!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2020
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