Hours before the A's finish their four-game series Monday with the Los Angeles Angels in Oakland, MLB postponed two games after the Miami Marlins dealt with a large number of positive coronavirus tests.
The news obviously took baseball fans, players and more by storm. We must understand the seriousness of what's at hand, and the season clearly could be in trouble. A's first baseman Matt Olson was interviewed by MLB Network shortly after the news, and he might change his attire on the field.
"Yeah, we’re just so accustomed to normal baseball life," Olson said. "We try to stay safe out here, obviously the news was big here this morning, and I think it’s something that, being a first baseman, I might go out and start wearing a mask, you know, maybe put one in my pocket if a guy gets on first, throw it on."
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As a first baseman, Olson clearly is at risk. Throughout the game, he is in close contact with a number of players. Plenty of first basemen have been wearing a mask on the field, and Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo even was seen recently with hand sanitizer in his back pocket on the field.
Despite the two games being postponed Monday morning, the A's still are set to play the Angels at 12:40 p.m. PT. Olson seems confident the A's are taking all the necessary precautions and didn't show worry for the season possibly being canceled.
"Obviously not the best news, but we’re staying safe in here and doing everything we can on and off the field and keep this going," Olson said.
But in the A's Opening Day win, they broke social distancing protocols as they celebrated Olson's walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning.
Players celebrated as if there isn't a pandemic going on right now. Sure, it was a bit calmer than usual. Still, their emotions got the best of them and players couldn't help but get much closer than within six feet of Olson.
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“I don’t think everyone’s going to stay away from each other,” pitcher Mike Fiers said to reporters after the win. "That’s sports, man. If you love this game, it’s going to be hard, it’s going to be really tough to stay away from each other especially moments like that.”
That's the reality we're in right now. Perhaps news of the Marlins' outbreak will change things. Don't hold your breath, though.
But a great first step would be Olson wearing a mask at first base to protect himself, his teammates, opponents and many more.