MOnatelang was argued, especially about the money, but incidentally also about dealing with the corona virus. The fact that the renowned virologist Anthony Fauci symbolically opens the season of the MLB baseball professional league is symbolic – and ironic at the same time. With Fauci’s throw before the season opening game between defending champion Washington Nationals and record champion New York Yankees on Thursday, uncertainty and arguments end, but the problems of America’s Pastime, America’s favorite pastime, are only postponed.
After all, the first summer without professional baseball since the establishment of the National League in 1876 was just prevented. However: Because of Corona and the ongoing dispute between the players and the club owners about the payment, each of the 30 teams will now only play 60 instead of 162 games in the “regular season”, followed by the play-offs according to the known pattern up to the World Series. It is already clear: After that, a new framework collective agreement will be disputed again as soon as possible.
The season is problematic
The shortened season is also problematic. Numerous training units in preparation were canceled due to the too long evaluation of the Corona tests – the players were unsettled and dissatisfied. Some even miss the season, such as star thrower David Price. “After careful consideration and discussion,” for his and his family’s health he decided to skip the season, said the 34-year-old pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The MLB is taking a risk anyway. In contrast to the professional leagues NBA (basketball) and MLS (football), which continue their season in June and July on the huge area of Disney World in Orlando / Florida under strict hygiene requirements in a “bubble” (bubble), the MLB- Clubs in their home stadiums without an audience. The number of trips is to be reduced to a minimum through a one-time regional reorganization of the divisions.
The plan is already waste, at least for a team. The Toronto Blue Jays, the only MLB club from Canada, have a massive problem before the start of the season. Her Rogers Center had long been prepared for home games when the Canadian government last Saturday ordered: Teams from the United States are not allowed to enter. So the Blue Jays will have to go to the United States, where to go is still unclear. Pittsburgh was under discussion as a replacement home, but the state of Pennsylvania is not participating. The last option is probably Buffalo, where the franchise’s farm team is based. The ballpark there is of course not exactly suitable for MLB.
Black Lives Matter support
But the main thing is that at least some money comes in. The 30 clubs have long since said goodbye to the annual turnover of $ 10.5 billion, but thanks to the shortened season they are now saving part of the sponsorship income and the nationwide TV money of $ 1.6 billion. At the same time, players will only be paid proportionately, which is why their union has stubbornly refused to consider a season with just 60 games.
The baseball professionals are now allowed to demonstrate their support for the Black Lives Matter movement with patches and bracelets. Teams can also display a slightly modified MLB logo on the field, which then shows the letter combination BLM. This is the abbreviation for the movement, which means “count black lives” and campaigns against racism and police violence against African-Americans. According to the news agency AP, the athletes can also wear t-shirts with messages. The New York Yankees are guests of defending champion Washington Nationals on the night of German Friday (1:00 a.m.CEST).
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