The delay of baseball season meant that many ballpark employees would lose months of income. While this is necessary for safety concerns, it is a huge loss to these employees that they will not be getting paid — many who rely on this money for rents, mortgages, families, etc., just like the rest of us do.
Major League Baseball has acknowledged this and is trying to rectify it. As of Tuesday afternoon, ESPN has reported that every single major league team (yes, that includes the Mets), have pledged $1 million each. This money will be used specifically to help cover the wages that are going to be lost by their ballpark employee.
In a statement that was given to ESPN, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the following:
“Motivated by desire to help some of the most valuable members of the baseball community, each club has committed $1 million. The individual clubs will be announcing more details surrounding this support effort in their local communities. The timing of these announcements will vary because of the need to coordinate with state and local laws as well as collective-bargaining obligations in an effort to maximize the benefits realized by each group of employees. I am proud that our clubs came together so quickly and uniformly to support these individuals who provide so much to the game we love.”
It is great to see that MLB is acknowledging this loss to its ballpark employees and taking action to try and help. This is a step in the right direction.
Baseball fans, let’s remember this come baseball season and be a bit kinder to the ballpark employees we interact with. If you are able to, give a larger tip than you normally would. Share a smile or a laugh. Think twice before getting angry with one of them. They have taken a huge financial loss that was out of their control.
