MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has threatened to shut down the 2020 MLB season if the sport doesn't do a better job of managing the coronavirus, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
This comes in the wake of a plethora of Miami Marlins players and coaches testing positive for COVID-19 over the last week. The Marlins received their 20th positive case on Friday. The St. Louis Cardinals were hit with two positive tests on Friday as well, which has further raised concerns about whether or not MLB players are adhering to protocols.
According to the ESPN report, multiple players are fearing that the campaign could potentially be canceled if positive tests continue to rise or if players do not follow the league rules.
The MLB released a 113-page manual to players on how to manage themselves throughout the season in the midst of the pandemic. Players have been seen not wearing masks, high-fiving and spitting, which has government officials concerned that players are not taking the mandates seriously enough.
One high-ranking official even mentioned the players' off-the-field behavior, saying that “there are some bad decisions being made.”
The season was initially supposed to begin in late March but was postponed when COVID-19 began to sweep the nation that month. The NBA and NHL campaigns were suspended, as well. The NBA officially returned on Thursday and the NHL is set to restart its season Saturday.
The MLB kicked things off on July 23, but if things continue in this direction, it may not be long before Rob Manfred has to make a dreadful decision.
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