Well Chris Davis is going to wear a mask at first base, give it a try, because as fragile as he felt a few days ago, pointless and back in Miami, a group of infected players and a change in schedule tend to reinforce the obvious. I mean, whatever happened to the Miami Marlins, however, the virus managed to jump them, it could probably happen to anyone.
Davis, the first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, has a wife and three daughters at home. All five are at the mercy of every decision made by every player on every roster in baseball. That has been clear from the start, in fact from the moment the league sent everyone home from first spring practice. Sitting in a hotel room in Florida, a state that’s going through the worst of it all, then watching the next day’s opponent rack up positive evidence and quarantine, as the Orioles did, tends to summon a moment eager for a re-evaluation. .
On Sunday, the Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox for the second time in three days and then flew to Miami for a two-game series against the Marlins. The Marlins never appeared. The Orioles then flew home, where they were to receive the Marlins on Wednesday and Thursday. Instead, they will play the New York Yankees, who were slated to play the Philadelphia Phillies, also in quarantine because they had spent a long weekend in the vicinity of the Marlins.
“It was a little puzzling,” Davis said, “sitting there and seeing everything that was unfolding and how quickly it was reported. Going into this, there was a good chance that something like that was going to happen. I think everyone, deep in our minds, we knew there was a chance something like this would happen. But you hope for the best. In any case, it should serve as a reminder of how important it is that we follow these health and safety protocols. “
When baseball decided to play a pandemic, the second worst consequence, an outbreak inside a clubhouse, was inevitable. When the inevitable came, four days later, three games to most, so did the possibility of the worst consequence, which was an outbreak in more than one clubhouse. The Washington Nationals, who were supposed to be the next team in Miami, determined that they wanted nothing to do with Marlins Park or the Marlins (or possibly Miami or Florida). Surely they would not be alone, regardless of the reason a dozen of the Marlins’ players were affected.
“We didn’t do a real vote or a tally or anything, but there were definitely discussions about everyone’s concerns with playing against the Marlins,” Davis said. “Obviously, being in Miami for one night, we were a little worried about that, but in any case he just reiterated how important it is to follow these security protocols, these guidelines that have been established for us. I think once the guys understood the situation, the severity of it all, how it can really affect so many people so quickly because of the way it spreads, I think it was a good reminder that we will have to do a lot of things according to the book , so to speak, to make sure we beat as many games as possible. “
As such, and awaiting another round or two tests from the Phillies before actual damage can be measured, Davis said concern for his safety and that of his family and teammates is greater today than it was two days ago.
“I think it has to be,” he said. “When something like this happens, whether your club is directly affected or not, it makes everyone raise an eyebrow and make sure they’re doing everything they can, or at least I hope so. It would be difficult to get through all of this without something like this happening. … At the end of the day, you can’t control what the boys are doing off the field. So I hope it alarms everyone across the league and makes them really focus on what they’re doing and make sure they’re doing the right thing.
“I can’t even think of bringing this home. My wife and I have talked about it on more than one occasion and it is the risk I took. I think it’s something that we both feel is worth at least going out and giving it a try before we just get done. ”
He smiled at the idea that three hours of baseball in a quiet stadium in the midst of a 60-game season that might not go as far as 60 games, under severe protocols because pandemics don’t care what their win percentage or batting average is. It might actually be worth the trouble of the other 21 hours. But, he said, those three hours are still special enough. Then he will wear a mask. You will remind yourself why. He will see what the day brings.
“Honestly, the baseball aspect is really what gives you a kind of release,” he said. “It gives you a little break from everything that’s going on around you. Being around the guys, playing the game you love, being on a major league baseball field with other great players, and just doing what you love takes you a little away from everything that is happening. you. Even when you have handwashing stations at the end of the shelter, trainers spray hand sanitizer left and right, wearing masks. There is enough rest between the white lines to really give you peace of mind and allow you to sleep a little better at night. At least for me. I can’t speak for the other boys. But I feel like they’re having a great time. “
When he leaves the stadium, when he goes home, he is glad he played ball.
“I am,” he said. “I am. And I am. And I will say this, win help. Win definitely help. With all the doubt and all the uncertainty, I think there are definitely reassuring things about my day every day that help me sleep a little better at night “
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