Inside the great Rockies toilet paper caper of 2020 — and how things took a turn | The Athletic ($)
As the coronavirus pandemic has grabbed hold of the country over the last couple of months, people across the country have focused on social distancing and staying home — two precautions that seem inconvenient to many, but are impossible for the homeless community in Denver and across the world.
With many people stockpiling toilet paper and other household needs, the Denver Rescue Mission was suddenly in desperate need of toilet paper, and reached out to the Rockies for help. Jim Kellogg, the Rockies Vice President of Community Relations and the organization stepped up, donating all the toilet paper from Coors Field that was initially stocked for opening day. Shortly thereafter, the Pepsi Center followed suit.
While the homeless community in Denver continues to struggle amid economic decline and an inability to follow guidelines set forth to limit the spread of disease, the Denver Rescue Mission has also seen many people out of work offering their time as volunteers.
“We all need to think of others first. If we do that, we can get through this together. Life is going to go on. And we’ll get back to where we were. But helping others will be what gets us there.” says Kellogg, who hit the nail on the head. It is important to unite in times like these so we can tackle this problem together, even as we’re told to stay apart.
And now the latest on a potential “All-Arizona” season which has supposedly been discussed in recent days by the MLB...
‘Hard to pull off’: Players want baseball back, but some question Arizona idea | The Athletic ($)
It seems like the players and managers are mixed in how they feel about the concept:
“I’ll do anything.” - Angels manager Joe Maddon
“I think we should do everything we can to get baseball back…Sports help give people entertainment and something to look forward to, so they can get through tough times.” - Braves pitcher Cole Hamels
“Some of this would most likely be almost impossible.” - Indians manager Terry Francona
And the most important comment from the Rockies very own Nolan Arenado (okay maybe not the most important but still)
“If doctors OK us playing, it would mean they know the plan really well, and that makes me more confident about it,” Arenado said.
The only real consensus amongst those interviewed however remains that this is only a realistic option if the MLB and doctors ensure the safety of the players, the country, and the world. Nobody wants to be viewed as doing anything that puts the community back into a high risk situation if and when things begin to calm down. Additionally, players are worried about the idea of being in a quarantine situation where one crack in the system and suddenly everyone is exposed, and where these guys would be separated from their families for months.
Other players took a similar tone:
What MLB players think of daunting coronavirus return possibility | New York Post
An anonymous Mets player claimed “It would be hell” while Royals reliever Trevor Rosenthal sees it as an opportunity to inspire the nation:
“I think it’s in the best interest of the nation for MLB to go through with this plan as quickly as possible... We are at war and this is what we can do to help fight for our country. Provide the hope and discipline needed to get through this difficult time.”
Former Rockie Adam Ottavino says he just wants to play, and while he doesn’t “have any good insight,” he would be in support of the idea if it could actually be carried out effectively.
It’s paramount that MLB can ensure absolute community and player safety before this goes into effect but it is nice to start hearing a more structured idea of how the season could get underway.