Major League Baseball’s proposed plan to play a shortened season in Arizona in light of the ongoing COVID-19 global health crisis has been a lightning rod for conversation over the last few days.
For all the obstacles and unknowns this situation brings with it, there is plenty of upside to having baseball back in any capacity. However, the concern for potential health risks and logistical challenges posed by a hasty return are valid.
On Friday, Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated spoke with epidemiologists and other medical experts regarding professional sports and their attempts at a quick return, along with the hurdles that could impede this process. It’s a sobering read.
Speaking with organizational teammate and Mets’ fourth-round 2019 draft pick, Jake Mangum on the his podcast (The Jake Mangum Show), slugger Pete Alonso lent his support to the notion of playing the season out west (quotes via Tim Healey, Newsday).
“I feel like [the Arizona plan] is pretty realistic. But also, I’m not a member of the [Center for Disease Control]. At the end of the day, they’re the people that have to give the thumbs-up or the green light.”
Alonso, 25 and coming off a historic rookie season (.260/.358/.583, 53 home runs, 120 RBIs, NL Rookie of the Year), had a respectable showing in his only Arizona Fall League appearance in 2018 (.255/.339/.510, six homers in 27 games), and it appears he’s a fan of the place.
“In Arizona, for you guys who aren’t necessarily familiar with it, every team is within 45 minutes of each other. The complexes there are absolutely supreme. Because it’s nice, high altitude, and thin desert air, the ball flies a little bit better,” Alonso said. “Arizona, especially in that Phoenix area, is very conducive to baseball.”
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Friday that MLB has discussed allowing all 30 teams to utilize their own Spring Training stadiums as home fields, which would lead to drastic — albeit, temporary — divisional realignment based on location and the universal designated hitter being implemented.
We’ll keep you posted with more information as it becomes available.
