Jeff Passan of ESPN breaks it down with an example:
Here is what a day in the life of a baseball player could look like in 2020.
Wake up. Grab the thermometer issued to every player in MLB and take your temperature. Just make sure to do it before eating, drinking or exercising. Then take it again. If it’s over 100 degrees, self-isolate, call the team physician and get ready to take a rapid-response COVID-19 test.
If not, you can go to the stadium. If you’re on the road, it can be on any of the six bus trips to the ballpark instead of the typical early-or-late options. Don’t forget to open the windows. If you’re at home, go to the entrance that can be used only by 101 specifically designated people. Put on a mask. Walk into the stadium. Maybe even be in uniform already. Get your temperature taken again. If it’s still below 100, you’re allowed in the restricted areas: the field, the training room, the weight room, the clubhouse. Or perhaps the auxiliary clubhouse, because social distancing is important, and 6 feet will separate lockers, and locker rooms just aren’t big enough to handle that many people and that much space between them, so the team needs to build another.
Might be your day for a coronavirus test, since there will be a few a week, so get that saliva ready. Also could be the monthly blood test for coronavirus antibodies. Since you can’t use hot tubs, cold tubs, saunas, steam rooms or cryotherapy, there’s no excuse not to get to the 4:30 hitters’ meeting on time. Just check whether it’s on the iPad or outside. Indoor, in-person meetings don’t exist anymore.
At least you can take off the mask on the field. You’ll be out there plenty. It may look a little odd. No water or sports-drink jugs in the dugout. No sunflower seeds or dip. Remember? You can’t spit. Or high-five. Or dap. Or hug.
There’s more, lots more. And this is just the medical side of MLB’s proposals. The money side has yet to be presented to the players.
I don’t know, folks. This is going to be really difficult. As Passan says before he goes into the detail above, “This, or some bargained evolution of it, is what it takes to have a chance at garnering the support of the broad coalition necessary for any sport to return: the backing of federal, state and local governments; the rubber stamp of local health officials; the buy-in of fans; and the collaboration of players.”
NPUT
Not looking hopeful…
It’s almost all on ownership, even down to the point of dismantling the minor leagues.
It sure seems like it is hard for both sides to play a few baseball games.
One side – the uncompromising ownership – is the problem.
Useful thread about owner–player negotiations from a labor lawyer. Read his earlier thread too, which is linked herein.
https://twitter.com/BaseballQuotes1/status/1267482937504731142?s=20
Dykstra strikes out looking. https://twitter.com/craigcalcaterra/status/1267444030318747648?s=20
“Son, your past behavior has shown you’re such a schmuck there is no description that could harm your reputation further. Siddown and shaddap.”
SPNLA has Game Four of the 1978 NLCS, Rau v. Lerch.
The Saturday Watch Party choice on TBLA, in about five minutes, is Game One of the 1974 Series. I saw Games 3, 4, and 5 in person.
Gnatfan plays Chávez… https://twitter.com/John_Fogerty/status/1266229168116625410?s=20
That was fun to watch. I can just imagine how much fun it was for John and his kids.
Uruguayans have adapted to the pandemic (I know the Argentine journalist who wrote the Guardian story). https://twitter.com/jonleeanderson/status/1266315852019875840?s=20
David Price, who hasn’t played a single inning for the Dodgers yet, nonetheless is helping out the farm system.
“Dodgers pitcher David Price will give $1,000 to every minor leaguer in Los Angeles’ system for the month of June”
I am watching Game 7 of the 1988 NLCS. Through five innings, pretty promising. It’s part of True Blue LA’s thrice-weekly watch parties.
ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt asks the right question: After already giving up 50% thru negotiations, are you willing to take another 25% cut but still do 50% of the work negotiated earlier? He suggests nobody would, whether a millionaire baseball player or a ditch digger.
If there is a season, I’ll watch, but I’ll feel uneasy the whole time.
Yeah. Particularly if they start to let fans back in. We’ve already lost the equivalent of nearly two Dodger Stadium sellouts.
USA Today applauds Scherzer and players.
MLB proposes, players sneer.
The most highly-paid players would take an 80% pay cut, while the lowest-paid would take a 54% cut.
Massachusetts fan builds Dodger Stadium replica in his back yard.
https://twitter.com/MikeDiGiovanna/status/1265095383102832640?s=20
The LA TImes asked readers “who is the biggest icon of LA sports?”
To no one’s real surprise, the answer was Vin Scully.
Just a routine GIDP in the KBO. https://twitter.com/ProspectsWorldW/status/1265238208809328642?s=20
Scott Boras does a Q & A on the obstacles which remain between players and owners and reopening baseball when the health requirements are agreed.
My goodness, can you imagine?
https://twitter.com/45PedroMartinez/status/1265020362041053192
Words from Vin re: baseball’s return
Hyun-Jin Ryu says (no surprise) we should watch Korean baseball. I have, and it’s weird with no crowd noise, but it’s still baseball.
In family news, Ryu’s wife just gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Lucy.
Not hard to imagine some players deciding to opt out.
Good post, Steve. Because of the expected conditions that Passan wrote about, and for many other reasons, I don’t think we will have even an abbreviated season this year. I hope I am wrong.
I’d rather have no season than see any player or other employee take sick and die. If the NBA resumes, probably even worse, given the unavoidable physical proximity of players to each other. And handegg? Well, Wilbur…