Say Goodbye to Abner

 

It wasn’t that long ago I was quoting Cardinal Hall-of-Fame Shortshop Ozzie Smith  about playing baseball this summer. He didn’t think much of the idea. Now, he looks like a prophet.

He didn’t think baseball could make a 60-game season happen. I have problems with the designated hitter and the phantom runner put on base automatically in extra innings. I have watched some games but honestly, the fake cardboard people and even more fake crowd noise, leaves me wanting.

Now, baseball looks like they didn’t anticipate what could happen if you put 50 players and coaches together in airplanes, hotels and dugouts during a pandemic.

The Cardinals and Marlins are the two prime examples. Around 20 of the Marlins have been isolated and not playing baseball since last Sunday after positive tests. The Cardinals, who left Minnesota late last week on their way to Milwaukee, have between four and six infected players. They postponed the games with the Brewers over the weekend…and again tonight in Detroit.

Who didn’t see this coming? Wearing masks and keeping six feet away from each other is a pipe dream in competitive sport.

But baseball’s commissioner is doubling-down, saying baseball will endure. He blames the players for not adhering  to protocol. They obviously aren’t doing enough social distancing, he said.

Will we make it to a World Series? Listen to the ‘ole Cheaptalker.

No way.