David Price thought about it. He looked over the situation, discussed it with his family, and then made his decision. The Dodgers pitcher announced Saturday that he’s opted not to participate in the 2020 MLB season.
Price, in a twitter post, said he discussed the matter with his family and the Dodgers.
“I have decided it’s in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season. I will miss my teammates and will be cheering them on throughout the season and on to a World Series victory.”
Major League Baseball, amid the coronavirus pandemic, has ramped up its efforts to play games this year. However, as the country continues to see record highs in new cases, players are voicing their concerns.
Price made a choice to go with the bigger picture. And for that, I say good for him.
Price doesn’t hold back when giving his thoughts on a situation. His four years in Boston were a roller coaster ride with the media. He’s been critical of MLB for its lukewarm efforts in marketing the game’s superstars, specifically African-American players.
When the league scheduled 10 teams for a day off on Jackie Robinson Day, Price tweeted his frustration.
The point here is if it’s bothering Price, he’s going to voice his concerns about it.
Here’s the thing, Price isn’t wrong.
He’s right about MLB struggling to market the game. He’s right about the lack of actionable steps, as it pertains to marketing African-American players. And, as for his concerns about playing baseball — amid a global pandemic — he’s right about this one too.
For many of us, more than ever, there’s a heightened awareness towards social issues such as civil rights and racial discrimination, gender inequality, and health care availability.
And now, a global pandemic is threatening our health, and putting our loved ones at risk. It is crippling the economy, one lost job at a time.
This pandemic isn’t showing signs of slowing down. We’re fighting an invisible opponent that’s beating us on points with every round.
The sports world isn’t immune to the uphill battle we’re facing
Price is not the only MLB player with concerns. Professional and collegiate athletes look at their televisions or check their smartphones just like the rest of us.
New York – it was reported on Saturday, two players for the New York Yankees tested positive for COVID-19. Both players were diagnosed before arriving in New York and are isolating at their homes outside of New York State.
Chicago – The Chicago White Sox said Sunday two of their players have tested positive for the coronavirus and are in isolation.
Washington D.C. – Nationals’ manager Dave Martinez said two of their players also tested positive. Martinez also called attention to some players still awaiting their results.
Atlanta – The Braves had four players — including one of their team leaders — test positive.
What’s the bigger picture in all of this?
There’s a growing list of Major League Baseball players who have decided to sit out the season. They’re looking at the statistics and the risks that are involved. They’re going home to their families and discussing the pros and cons.
Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels, is the best player in the game. If MLB did a better job at marketing their players, like Price was pointing out, more casual sports fans would know this– but I digress.
On Friday morning, Trout expressed his concern over playing baseball this year. Trout’s wife is pregnant and is a month away from delivering their first child.
“It’s a tough situation for everybody,” Trout said. “I talked to a lot of guys across the league and they’re texting me a lot. I’m not gonna name any names, but they’re all thinking the same thing: ‘Is this gonna work?'”
Here’s the face of baseball, expressing doubt the game they love to play — and are paid to play — can even be played.
Trout hasn’t decided yet if he’s going to play, but he’s right to have trepidation. He has a wife and a baby on the way.
What we want for us — and the empathy we need for them
If you’re reading this, chances are, you’re a sports fan. You miss sports and so do I, we have that in common.
This Monday night, Major League Baseball is expected to release it’s schedule. 18 days from now, on opening night, the New York Yankees will face the Washington Nationals — at least that’s the plan.
As a baseball fan since the age of five, I know what I want to see.
I want to see Gerrit Cole make his Yankees’ debut against Max Scherzer. I want to see baseball find a way to distance themselves from the money talk which nearly shelved their plans for a 2020 season. If you’re a baseball fan, you likely want to see these things too.
Because we want baseball back, like basketball fans want the NBA, and football fans want the NFL. We want those three hours in front of a television — because going to the games isn’t anywhere near an option yet. We want the distraction, we want sports to come out of the bullpen and give us much-needed relief.
But what about the players? All their talk of how much they love the game can be, at times, difficult to stomach. But let’s put that aside for now. Because if we can do that, we’ll see there’s room to remember they’re also human — just like us.
David Price. Mike Trout. Felix Hernandez. The players that are trying to make the best possible decision for themselves and their families.
They’re all human — just like us. They deserve our empathy too.
To play or not to play. There’s no right or wrong answer to this for professional athletes.
David Price thought about his health, the health of his family, and then he decided baseball can wait. Good for him.
He won’t be the last, there will be more. And good for them too.
