More to Follow?

Buster Posey Opt-Out 2020

On the TunneySide of Sports July 20, 2020 #805 Up next… More to follow?

After further review… “After much discussion with my wife and doctors, and a decision I wrestled with, I have decided to opt-out of the 2020 Major League Baseball season”, said Buster Posey.

With the recent adoption of twin girls, Posey – three-time World Series champion and 2012 National League MVP of the San Francisco Giants – firmly took the well-being of his family first and foremost. Posey has been a mainstay for the Giants since he joined them in September 2009. His leadership behind the plate, as well as playing first base from time to time, has been paramount to the Giants success.

Posey’s decision came about the same time as the opt-out announcement from pitcher David Price of the Los Angeles Dodgers with whom the Giants are scheduled to open this shortened 2020 season in Chavez Ravine this week. Along with those two is Ryan Zimmerman, first baseman of the 2019 World Champions Washington Nationals, who was their first pick in 2005 when the team moved to Washington D.C.  Will there be more players to opt-out this season?

You can bet your sweet bippy! Further, what happens before, during, or at playoff time if a player is confirmed with COVID-19 and has to be hospitalized? Did he infect other T*E*A*M players? What will the MLB do if an entire team is infected and can’t play? How do they conduct playoffs, e.g., league and World Series without the opportunity for all teams?

While MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL progress toward playing – all without fans – and as protected that they think is possible, college fall athletics are opting to do it differently. For example, some NCAA schools are moving their fall sports to the spring. Others are canceling some of their fall sports altogether. The Pac-12 has canceled all non-conference football games and their schools will only play conference games. Some schools may only play 5-6 football games.

Will students be allowed in the stands? In most colleges, football games are the lifeblood of the student body. While schools have indicated that athletic scholarships will remain in place, how will they adjust four years of eligibility?

What will the inter-scholastic, i.e., high school, games look like? With no fall sports available many schools will lack the enthusiasm that fall sports bring to a student body. The CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) meets today to discuss and plan their sports’ future.

Will you log-in on whether schools should attempt to play or just cancel all 2020 fall sports?

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About Jim Tunney Ed.D

Retired NFL referee Jim Tunney gives his unique view of sports and life every Monday in his column, The TunneySide of Sports
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