You can certainly excuse Detroit Tigers skipper Ron Gardenhire for feeling this way.
At 62 years old, diabetic and having previously taken on prostate cancer (leading to a five week of absence in 2017 while with the Arizona Diamondbacks), Gardenhire is included in the high risk group of people for contracting COVID-19, and he was admittedly nervous after Detroit’s first opponent of the year (Cincinnati) suffered an outbreak of the illness in their clubhouse.
Major League Baseball has postponed Detroit’s series against the St. Louis Cardinals after an outbreak, while several other teams have endured the same; notably the Miami Marlins with over 20 people in their traveling party testing positive.
Gardenhire isn’t worried as long as the safety protocols are being followed – but admits that could change.
“We’re here to play and there’s a lot going on in the game, and I’m as worried as anybody else,” Gardenhire said. “I’ve been through cancer, I’ve been through a lot of things. … I’m fine being here in this clubhouse. As long as our guys are doing the right stuff, I’m good with it and I’m happy and we’ll go.
“I’m not going to run out on these guys unless it gets really bad in our camp, and then I would have a hard time. That would really scare me.”
However, he has nothing bad to say about the efforts his team is making in following the mandated safety protocols.
“They’re all trying,” he said of players and coaches. “That’s what we have to do, just keep trying.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfredhas already hinted at the possibility of a season shutdown if safety protocols aren’t followed.
– – Quotes via Tony Paul of The Detroit News Link – –
