Some things are bigger than a rivalry. In this case, the battle against coronavirus should be the world’s number one priority, and Pedro Martinez, the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees perfectly understand that.
The former ace is coming through one last time, but this time, it isn’t in the mound. Martinez and several MLB stars, including some current members of the New York Yankees roster, are uniting forces to combat the deadly disease that, to this day, refuses to go away.
Marly Rivera of ESPN reported that the Pedro Martinez Foundation has recently created the “Step Up To The Plate†fund and has raised $550,000 in the battle against the COVID-19 in the Dominican Republic.
The virus not only has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives worldwide but also has halted the planet’s economy and even the baseball season.
Several Yankees are helping out
Among the current Yankees players joining the initiative are starter Luis Severino and catcher Gary Sanchez. Former Yankee Dellin Betances and former Red Sox legend David Ortiz are also part of the noble cause.
Regarding the return of baseball, Pedro said that, as reported by NJ.com, that he has talked to Commissioner Rob Manfred and all parts want to return as quickly as possible.
“As of right now, it’s unclear how we will get to play this season, but the commissioner reassured us that we will have baseball this year. In speaking with him, my perception was that one of the things they will do is limit the amount of personnel inside stadiums, and in the beginning, games will likely be played without fans. The commissioner also told us that players’ health and safety will be paramount, and I feel confident that their well-being will never be put in jeopardy. MLB and the MLBPA have some of the best staffs in the world. They know how to run a business, and I am sure they will take all the precautions necessary to be able to play this season,†Pedro said to Rivera.