MAJOR League Baseball (MLB) is fending off trouble from so many fronts.
First, because of the fallout from the Covid-19 virus, teams during this shortened season, are playing to empty stadia. We know that gate receipts are a huge source of revenue. The television deals can only do so much.
Second, had it not been for the pandemic, MLB would have to worry about the headhunting for the Houston Astros’ scalps. We saw that in the preseason, and well, it’s here in this shortened season.
And a few days ago, Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly was suspended by MLB for eight matches after throwing dangerous pitches at the Houston Astros’ Alex Bergman and Carlos Correa.
What is shocking is that none of those pitches by Kelly hit a player—although benches cleared albeit without any fists thrown—and the fact that he wasn’t thrown out, now he is suspended for eight games. That in my opinion, is way too much. And I am not alone I guess as many MLB players have said their support in their social media.
Now, where is the justice in that incident?
The Astros were caught for their sign stealing that allowed them to win the 2017 World Series (and I certainly have no idea why they didn’t hit them for the 2019 season as well) and they have pretty much admitted to it. MLB shockingly does the wrong thing by not only granting the immunity for coming clean but does not take away the World Series trophy.
MLB has only demonstrated that yes, cheating, gets away.
They have done nothing to protect the sanctity of the game and worse, they protect the offending team.
And while this is happening, players from the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins tested positive for the Covid-19 putting their games to a halt with the future of this season in doubt.
I really thought it was foolhardy to even start this season. In my opinion, the United States has been the most undisciplined of countries with regards to the handling of the corona virus. People go out without a care in the world. People are upset because of lockdown procedures. And well, there has been all the demonstrations stemming from the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police where people have been unmindful of social distancing.
I get the need to get economies and means of livelihood moving. The lack of a vaccine does place even more people at risk. But I cannot recall such a time when MLB as an organization did not get things right on multiple if not consecutive problems.
A few more cases that pop up here and there, then this season could most likely be over. Then what was this season all about?
The Astros had the signs when they cheated their way to a World Series crown. As for MLB? They have misread it all the way. And that is why they are whiffing. Not even in 90-mph pitches.