The 2020 season will try certain players’ souls
by Brian Joura
Neither of
my parents were sports fans but they had six boys so they ended up with lots of
games being played on the TV in their living room. One thing my mom could never
understand is why when one team was way behind that they couldn’t just say
“uncle” and have the game be over. No attempts to discuss the sanctity of the
game and the season ever resonated with her. Finally, the response that
satisfied her was, “that’s when they earn their money.”
Those conversations came to mind here recently with all of the talk about how the 2020 season was going to play out. Players are getting pro-rated salaries, which seems very fair. Players can opt out of the season now over health concerns, whether due to significant health factors or just personal risk tolerance. They’ll be paid for the former but not necessarily the latter. Again, that seems fair. But there doesn’t seem to be any limit on the second option, which is at least a little curious.
We know that multiple players on the Nationals and at least one player on the Braves have already opted out of the 2020 season. So, let’s pick on the Phillies. Let’s say that halfway thru the 2020 season, the Mets are in a heated race with the Nats and Braves for the division lead. But for whatever reason – injuries, bad luck and, um, just spit balling here … talent – the Phillies fall off the pace and are under .500 and competing for last place rather than first.
What’s to stop a significant group of their players from saying “uncle” and bailing on the lost season?
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2 comments:
I will follow this season but I still think the sporting world has to take a pause this year.
I live in South Carolina. Feel free to check the numbers.
Hopefully the ballplayers will be better than the general public in avoiding crowded beaches and bars. I think they will be.
Perhaps just as important, we need support personnel (Tier II, I think MLB is calling them) to be good at that, too.
Perhaps it's selfish of me but I'm glad they're trying, while taking precautions.
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