Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly takes in the ball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark on Sat Jul 25th as his team’s game has been canceled on Monday Jul 27th due to a Covid-19 outbreak (AP photo)

Between Covid and Kneeling, Season might Not go Far

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Fourteen players from the Miami Marlins (as of today) have tested positive, prompting the cancellation of their home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. This was after the Marlins completed a series in Philadelphia as seven players and two coaches tested positive for corona virus. MLB said the games were postponed while the league conducts more testing.

According to the Washington Times there are also calls to boycott Major League Baseball after photos of players kneeling prior to games. The hashtag #BoycottMLB trended on Twitter as some commentators on social-media accused the league of showing a lack of respect for the military, which the league denied. “It has never been about the military or the flag,” the MLB tweeted. “The players and coaches are using their platforms to peacefully protest.” Nevertheless, the kneeling continues to be very controversial across the country. Most people continue to look at sports as the “only” escape left.

Florida is right now the “hot spot” for corona virus. There are two teams that play there, the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays, but these two teams are scheduled to play during this abbreviated season with the rest of the east coast teams. That is a situation that is developing and Major League Baseball is following very carefully.

As somebody that just ended broadcasting three games of the Angels vs. Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum, I would say from firsthand experience the A’S have taken all the necessary precautions at the Oakland Coliseum for the skeleton crew of employees during these games including a handful of us doing radio and television. I have to confess it is an eerie feeling, broadcasting at an empty Major League park the size of the Oakland Coliseum, almost like a surreal experience. From a level that regularly is frequented by a lot of media people, and now it is just a few.

The 60-game season is now for the first time since it began in jeopardy, a combination of factors in the most complex world we are living today. Although some national televised games have shown excellent ratings, After all, MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL can make any schedule they want send any directives they want, but the real wild card continues to be Covid-19. Because Covid-19 has their own scheduled, but the big difference is that their schedule is a mystery.

“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better” – Dalai Lama

Stay well and stay tuned.

Athletics Radio. KIQI 1010AM/990AM Spanish radio(Bay Area and Sacramento)is scheduled to carry tomorrow’s game when the Colorado Rockies visit the Oakland Coliseum, pregame 6:30, first pitch 6:40PM.