The New York Yankees, along with the rest of MLB, are wondering the same question. When will baseball season start, or will it start at all? The answer to that question really depends on how the COVID-19 progresses and how many people will be affected. The other big question is, will the virus subside like the common flu and not become an even bigger problem.
As it stands now for the Yankees, minor league players at the training complex near the major league spring training complex in Tampa, Florida, are hunkered down in quarantine as now two minor league players have tested positive for the coronavirus know as COVID-19. Earlier in the week, Charleston River Dog player Denny Larrondo was diagnosed and is already recovering while being quarantined. Now a second unknown player has tested positive.
As far as the major league New York Yankees players, they have not come in contact with any of the minor league players who typically don’t take part in any workouts at George M. Steinbrenner field where the Yankees work out and train. At this point, most of the major league team is in place at the complex. However, the Yankee front office has said that players should be where they are most comfortable.
New York Yankees players, however, voted unanimously to remain in Tampa and conduct informal workouts. This writer feels that this makes no sense. The season is at least eight weeks away. If players remain working out and training, they will be tired out before the season really starts. Players can go home if it’s safe to do so and return two weeks ahead of the season to get ready.
Yesterday Aaron Boone loaded into his silver Mercedes and headed back to his home in Greenwich, CT, to be with his children as they adapt to schooling online. He that he wanted to be part of that and be with his family. On the other hand, General Manager Brian Cashman said that he will remain in Tampa along with the training and conditioning staff. Pitcher, player representative Zack Britton said:
“We have a shot at a World Series title,” Yankees pitcher Zack Britton, the club’s player rep, told MLB.com. “We want to be prepared to seize that opportunity. Guys aren’t panicking about this thing. We understand that it’s serious, but the Yankees have a ton of resources in the area. We feel like this is a good place for us to be.”
From the training complex in Tampa Brian Cashman reported on the uncertainty of the unprecedented situation said;
“The players have been fantastic,” Cashman said. “There’s no script here that we can all fall back on and rely upon. I think there’s a recognition of that there’s a lot of unknowns, so there’s a lot of really cool conversations about suggestions. There’s a lot of collaboration.
“We’ve tried to map out the best next steps, and we all recognize it’s going to take a lot of give and take, with understanding and compassion and empathy along the way.”
Meanwhile, the Yankee fans wonder when and if the game they love will restart, and if it does, will it be in front of empty stands? Will it be in foreign parks away from coronavirus clusters? There is so much that we don’t know about the virus and how it will affect the baseball season. For the time being, anxious fans will just have to bide their time and hope for the best. Both for baseball and their family, friends, and neighbors as we negotiate this difficult time in our nation.
Meanwhile, if you want to be more a part of the Yankee family, join me on Facebook in the Yankee Fans R US!! group. There you will find a friendly, respectful group of Yankee fans, the latest information, and Yankee chat. Come join me there by clicking on this link. Yankee Fans R US!!