This is the third week of quarantine for us here in Wisconsin. For some, it’s four weeks. For others, it’s five weeks. Regardless, things are starting to wear people down like a boxer to an opponent in the 13th round. One thing I’ve realized in these last few weeks is that journalists, most notably sports journalists, have zero concepts of innovative ideas. ESPN’s Jeff Passan releases a story highlighting how baseball would like to start their season in Arizona and get in close to 162 games as possible. Every journalist that is either on the West Coast or hanging out late shit on this idea last night without actually unpacking the thing. So let’s unpack it for them, shall we?

1. The season will begin in Arizona, but they will be home soon enough – One of the things that everyone missed here is the modeling is showing that we are out of the woods by June 1st as a country. Other states will be done sooner rather than later. This is completely lost on people. They’re either reading the wrong things or not taking the time to look at the models that the federal government is using right now. Go to Arizona, the projections aren’t severe and will be flat by mid May.

Everyone will be home by the middle of June or early July. What baseball is trying to do is start their season in a place with few COVID-19 cases then when teams can go back to certain cities, they will do just that. It will not be a one-size-fits-all model, therefore, some teams will stay in Arizona longer. Passan saying ‘up to 4.5 months’ is the worst-case scenario and we do not look like we’re going to hit that.

2. Think of the players in self-isolation! – I assume that Major League Baseball and their teams will make everything possible for these people to see their families through technology. It would not shock me if they set up a family wing or something similar with all family members getting tested. ‘Think of the families’ is hard for me when you know married guys are beating random IG thots cheeks in other cities. Trust me, these guys will live like kings, and they will make sure they’re taken care of in the best way possible. They’re not going to Bangladesh.

3. Ideas are a good thing – Is this a wild idea? Yes. Is this an idea that can lead to a better idea? Yes absolutely. Sometimes, people throw shit at the wall to see what sticks with people. This is a clear example of that. Ken Rosenthal started pushing this idea over the weekend and Passan dunked it home on Monday night. This will be the story of the day tomorrow. Questions will come about should the NBA try this? Or what about the NHL? MLB will own a major sports moment yet again. Even though it’s not the best press, they’re doing a better job of becoming relevant.

4. Money talks – This is the biggest part of this whole equation. If the players do not play, they will not make money. Budget cuts will be severe and players’ salaries will be minuscule compared to what they were pre-COVID 19. Family might win out over money. But the reason why so many new ideas are being trotted out there with health officials backing is that they need the TV money. It is so fucking important. This is why solutions like this will be brought up. Players know that the teams and league need to make money to support them.

I hope for some this can serve as a better explainer as to why baseball might be trying some outside-the-box thinking.

Charlie.