MLB proves (again) that it doesn’t give a shit about player health
From the first pitch of Monday’s doubleheader, it appeared to be an unhealthy atmosphere for a baseball game in Seattle. Yet, the A’s and Mariners played on — for 14 innings across 4 hours and 42 minutes, in fact — in a ballpark that looked like Snoop’s studio when he was recording Doggystyle.
Shit was smoky.
it is smoky af pic.twitter.com/aJqUbyKMee
— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) September 14, 2020
Amazingly, following Game 2, A’s manager Bob Melvin told reporters that they were never consulted about the playing conditions throughout the day.
Melvin said topic of whether to play amid air quality conditions was not brought up to the A’s: “No one said a word. I heard 200 was the cutoff level to start and my understanding is it was way over that, both games.”
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) September 15, 2020
Understandably, some players were happy with the lack of communication or a decision to postpone the games.
Luzardo on air quality in game one: “When I came out, (the AQI) was at 284. I’m a healthy 22-year-old, I shouldn’t be gasping for air or missing oxygen when I’m getting to the line, so I’ll leave it at that.”
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) September 14, 2020
@MLB what’s the cut off for air quality?
— Jake Diekman (@JakeDiekman) September 15, 2020
Lowest Air Quality we had was leaving after the game at 221. High of 283.
Cc: @MLB
— Jake Diekman (@JakeDiekman) September 15, 2020
There had been a previous belief that teams wouldn’t play when the air quality index (AQI) registered over 200, for which the Environmental Protection Agency states, “People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.”
I know baseball isn’t football, basketball, soccer or tennis when it comes to exertion, but still. Rob Manfred and his cronies really don’t give a shit about MLB players health.
If these West Coast wildfires were raging on East Coast, maybe there’d be a different reaction. Alas, the season’s winding down and they need to squeeze these games in. And if they won’t slow the game down for a pandemic that’s pervaded the entire league, then 5 hours of smoke sure as shit wasn’t going to. It’s messed up.
Mike Minor on the air: “Initially when I went out there I could feel it, smell it, whatever. As you got going, didn’t really notice, kind of just got into game mode I guess … But I know a lot of the other guys were talking about it, saying how difficult it was.” #Athletics
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) September 15, 2020
For what it’s worth, Mike Minor was able to twirl a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts in Game 2, a 9-0 A’s victory.
Mike Minor was dealin today ♠️
IP
Ks
-0 victory pic.twitter.com/J7Vmqc8Vym
— The Rickey Henderson of Blogs (@RickeyBlog) September 15, 2020
