The New York Yankees were facing a potential disaster at home this season, with New York City still implementing strict Covid rules. Down in Brooklyn, star point guard Kyrie Irving for the Brooklyn Nets has been forced to play in only away games, disrupting the team’s flow.
There was a good chance the Yankees and Mets would have to face similar problems, especially with a myriad of players unvaccinated. Mayor Eric Adams had proclaimed his focus on all 9 million inhabitants of the city, disregarding pleas from teams for their players to have access to home games. Given baseball is played outside, it’s not an unreasonable request.
However, with Covid largely being silenced in recent weeks, Mayor Adams is shifting his approach, preparing to amend the rules with opening day quickly approaching on April 7.
Teams with unvaccinated players will still be barred from playing in Canada, but the Yankees should have their full squad available. Slugger Aaron Judge didn’t seem too worried about the issue, but he can completely forget about any shortcomings with the mayor shifting his strategy.
“I’m so focused on just getting through the first game of spring training,” Judge said. “I think we’ll cross that bridge whenever the time comes. But right now, so many things could change. I’m not really too worried about that right now.”
One of Mayor Adams’s biggest contributors and donors is Mets owner Steve Cohen, so there could’ve been a bit of help on that end.