Welp!  That didn’t take long.

About 3 days into the delayed launch of the 2020 Major League Baseball season, a game or two and counting have been postponed.  Usually, its 27 degrees and snowing in Chicago in early April and we hear the annual whine about starting too early in Spring or scheduling season-opening series in the northern climes.

This time four then seven more players and two coaches and counting on the Miami Marlins went from negative to positive on COVID-19 testing from when Friday’s opener v. Philadelphia concluded Sunday.  And just like that, a positive late start to the shortened season became a negative.  Is anyone surprised?

Miami’s home opener scheduled for last evening with Baltimore was a no go.  MLB also said yesterday “that out of an abundance of caution, the Yankees game versus Philadelphia was postponed.”  No Phillies have yet tested positive.

So the league that often looks like its own worst enemy faced a decision about the enemy that wears #19 on its invisible uniform.  And the league took one for the team.

There are win-win situations from time to time. This isn’t one of them.

There are no-win situations from time to time.  Perhaps this is one of them.

But, MLB and the other leagues that are champing at the bit to roll out a ball, are at a crossroad.  It’s the same one that all of America and the world for that matter faces.  Is anyone surprised?

What to do, what to do?  Like bunting a guy to second you could play it safe.  Or, you could swing for the fences.

Individuals don’t have to play.  Individuals don’t have to go into work.  But when teams crank up or businesses reopen individuals feel the need to go.  Whether it’s pride, work ethic, financial need, or job security the need to do so outweighs any want to do otherwise.

Wear a mask, stay six feet apart, try to stay in the open air, etc, etc. You’ve heard it all before.

It works, doesn’t it?  The problem remains- we don’t really know.  But we do know that the survival rate is now over 99%.

The fine line between herd immunity and herd stupidity is as blurred as the first base chalk line in an extra-inning game.

There once were metal cleats, doubleheaders, brushbacks, brawls, and home plate collisions.  They were good until it was decided that they were bad.

How bad does bad have to get for the league to take its bat bag and go home?  Or, is it past time for America’s Favorite Pastime to play through pain?

The other leagues and America are watching.

Play ball!  For now.