Tumultuous Times

First, a couple of people I know are venturing into areas where the coronavirus is rampant. I wish them nothing but safe travels and good health. 

Second, my synagogue held its supposed last weekly service on Friday night. As of June 30, our doors will be closed. A brave few are suggesting that the temple might continue in some undetermined form after failed attempts at merger, suggested years ago with a view to declining demographics and poor finances. 

And what a way to go out, if this is our end of the line—a Zoom service. No hugs. No kisses. Just chatter and hearing those who were computer challenged, singing aloud and off key. That alone has set me back religiously. 

Our Rabbi dislocated or broke a couple of fingers on her left hand, trying to help her son become a wide receiver on his school’s team. I have chided her about the need for those big gloves all the wide outs wear for a reason, and reminded her that she is no Julian Edelman. 

We ventured out today, visiting my son and his partner in Astoria, Queens, for a quick Greek cuisine lunch. On the streets, as well as traveling through Manhattan on the way home, significant numbers of people, more young than old, eschewed the use of masks, the tried and true method for minimizing the spread of a disease. With the meteoric rise of the pandemic in so many other states now reaching crisis proportions, smugness in states like New York and New Jersey should not be the norm. Unfortunately, this virus is alive and quite well, and it isn’t going away quickly, devouring those who are uncaringly getting in its way. I recall one of my favorite lines from the classic Tom Hanks (an early COVID-19 survivor) movie, “Forrest Gump”: “Stupid is as stupid does.”

With what has happened in the U.S. and around the world, name changes are in order. The heated Oregon-Oregon State football rivalry is no longer called “The Civil War.” Nicknames like the Rebels, Cowboys and Indians are no longer acceptable at the high school and collegiate levels. 

The Minnesota Twins removed a statue of former owner Calvin Griffith, a racist when owned the team as the original Washington Senators. His NFL counterpart in D.C., George Preston Marshall, even more of an avowed racist, had his statue removed from its place outside of R.F.K. Stadium, the former home of the Redskins, and his name was removed from the team’s Ring of Honor. 

Which then begs the politically-correct question which has popped up repeatedly over the years—shouldn’t the Redskins finally change their name? Owner Daniel Snyder would not only be doing the right thing, but the merchandising bonanza which would come about as a result—new jerseys, hats, etc. as well as collector’s items bearing the old name. Same logic applies to the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Indians.

There will be a 60 game baseball schedule, mandated by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in accord with the desires of his owners. It’s far from perfect. A very well written article on ESPN.com noted all the inherent risks which might arise and questions the ability of the sport to function in this environment—one which is taking no timeouts. 

Texas Rangers staff has been mandated to work at the new Globe Life Field. There have been positive tests of personnel and Texas is struggling mightily with the onslaught of the coronavirus’ severe impact on the state. Those who work inside the building are panicked and terrified to be in such a hostile setting. The Rangers are taking corrective measures starting with sanitizing, but this will no stop unscrupulous and demanding supervisors to take advantage of a situation to force people needy of a job to support themselves to be placed in harm’s way. I am going to guess that they won’t be the only franchise to be so unsympathetic.

I saw that Rockies’ star outfielder Charlie Blackmon contracted COVID-19. How many more will be exposed? When will competitive advantage be fractured—if half the Yankees get infected? Or Mike Trout? And what abut the long-term effects of those who even have a mild case of the coronavirus? That hasn’t really been determined. 

An ESPN poll showed that over 70% of baseball fans support the MLB 60 game plan. Fan X and my cousin in Connecticut concur. I suppose it is better than nothing. The poll did not address anything else like how acrimonious the MLBPA and MLB are, whether one side is the winner of this battle. 

I wonder of those fans recognize that what they will be watching is not going to be baseball as we have come to know it. The changes mandated by the virus include no spitting, smokeless tobacco, sunflower seeds and masks in the bullpen and dugout for non-players. Wet rags in the pitchers’ pockets to stop them from licking their fingers. There will be no fighting—imagine a play at the plate or a hit batsman who takes umbrage with the pitcher?

Balls touched by multiple players will be replaced. Managers or players arguing a call who cannot remain 6 feet apart from the umpires or an opposing player face ejection and discipline.

The off-the-field list of preventive measures is very extensive. From clubhouse food served in individual to-go containers to discouraging showering in the clubhouse, to how the teams enter stadiums, hotels and arrive at the ballpark is covered. MLB sought the input of a number of experts on a variety of subjects and has a contract with a laboratory in Salt Lake City to facilitate its mandatory testing of people according to three tiers of individuals, many on a daily basis and some twice a day. 

There is no doubt that the plan is well thought out. But the virus is insidious, and it readily accepts plans when there are plenty of holes in it. There are things left to the franchises to develop, such as their own off-the-field conduct guidelines. MLB “will not formally restrict” the activities of players and key staff away from team facilities. Because they can’t. 

Even with traveling rules designed to segregate and quarantine the team on the road to isolate them from the public, this is going to be onerous. Players need to blow off steam—sometimes away from fellow players and team personnel. Unless there are armed guards watching the floors of the hotels and the exits, good luck in keeping them all in one place. And permitting them use of food delivery services while away interjects a whole new group of people inside of the protected area. 

Thus, the players are being asked to police themselves. A group of players ranging from ages 19 to 40 acting like responsible adults all of the time isn’t logical. The warning of MLB that “(T)he careless actions of a single individual places the entire team (and their families) at risk” is not much of a deterrent. 

The PGA Tour is having lots of difficulties with caddies testing positive, requiring players in contact with them to absence themselves from tournaments. This could lead to a cessation of play if it continues. Something MLB needs to watch carefully.

By the way, what will happen with a rain delay? How long will MLB be willing to wait before attempting resumption of play? Injuries come to mind in that scenario.

Speaking of injuries, what kind of shape will the players be in when they report to their respective camps to commence workouts? Will intra-squad play be enough to get them ready for game that count? Or will there be a rash of lower leg, arm and core muscle ailments that will take necessary players from playing because they rushed and over-trained or didn’t get into proper shape for what will be a sprint to the playoffs? 

Fans may not like the stylistic changes which are part of play for this short season such as the universal DH and runners on base for extra inning contests. They can also anticipate that the projected favorites like the Yankees and Dodgers cannot afford to have a lapse during  any portion of the season, as they may not make the playoffs. Exhibit A is the 2019 Washington Nationals club which started out 17-31 and had the benefit of the full 162 game slate to make up ground and win the World Series. 

Before I start to really question baseball and its actions to make a 60 game season occur, I want to bring up one thing the San Francisco Giants are implementing. They will permit season-ticket holders to send in images of themselves which will be placed onto a cutout then displayed at Oracle Park during home games. Given the fancy title “Giants Fan Cutout Program,” it will allow fans to “be at Oracle Park even when you’re home watching the game.” Moreover, non-season-ticket-holders can avail themselves of this deal for $99. 

I thought of the Yankees doing this. In New York, it might be an added surcharge to the already-costly seated down low that the Yankees reserve for the wealthy. And knowing their mentality, the costs might be higher to others seeking to place their images in the Aaron Judge area, or be a Bleacher Creature. 

In Los Angeles, the Dodgers could put pictures of celebrities in prominent places. The Phillies and Mets could put socially distanced cutouts of the Phanatic and Mr. Met in the seats. 

I would need a picture of the dark-haired lady behind home plate in Milwaukee to keep my attention between pitches. In Tampa and Miami, selling cutouts could increase attendance. Lol

We have the NBA on the horizon. With a schedule designed to given man-child rookie phenom Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans every opportunity to make the playoffs in the abridged 8 game skien that will conclude the regular season, the NBA is hopeful that they can be lucky enough within their bubble to make it through the playoffs. 

Except that 16 players of 302 recently tested positive for COVID-19. That is about 5% of the group. While their bubble theory is an experiment, there is the likelihood that things could go awry very easily. 

I think about those players who had the virus—will they truly be back to normal and will they have long-term effects from even a mild case of COVID-19? Will this lead to a diluted product and diminish teams’ chances, just like a bad injury derails a championship run for a team that is suddenly missing a key player?

The owner of the Indianapolis 500 have these grand plans to fill half of the stands when the race is conducted later this year. That would mean 125,000 fans inside a compound which holds 250,000.  That is either a very ambitious undertaking which requires a lot of good luck, or one of the greediest and most selfless actions in sports. You can form your own opinions on this. 

Contrast the Indy 500 with erudite Bowdoin College and Morehouse College, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) canceling fall sports due to the coronavirus, being the first in their groupings to do so. Clemson football suffering a total of 37 positive tests, 23 out of 102 players. Kansas State shut down workouts as the number of infected player reached 14. This is the tip of the iceberg. 

One last thought. I have not addressed the playing of the National Anthem. Nor have I dread or heard anything from MLB or the NBA on the subject. Both organizations are hopeful that the fans will respond to the start of baseball and restart of basketball. That translates into TV ratings critical in these shortened seasons into the playoffs. I want the taking of a knee during the Star Spangled Banner to be accepted and not engender further controversy. I wish I had a lot of confidence in that happening. 

These are tumultuous times. The definition of tumultuous is “excited, confused or disorderly. 

Sport is hardly immune from the tumult.