Yes, this is difficult. We are home and staying safe. We are dealing with a Coronavirus pandemic and making that adjustment. This was supposed to be the first weekend of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
We were five days away from Opening Day of the 2020 baseball season. Instead, at Citi Field, a makeshift hospital and relief center is being planned
We are without sports. We are adjusting to viewing daily updates from the White House, your Governor, and Mayor. We are isolated and hoping this crisis will pass soon.
Saturday and Sunday, and next weekend, CBS Sports is televising memorable games from past NCAA tournaments. MLB Network, the regional networks, are also replaying memorable games.
The baseball fix in New York includes a Mets marathon on SNY. The Yankees showing their classic series on YES, and audio feeds of the Michael Kay sports talk show on ESPN Radio.
The NBA and NHL channels also do their part to keep us entertained.
How the WWE will stage WrestleMania, a reformatted two day event, and with no fans at their Orlando performance center in two weeks will be interesting and different.
WrestleMania, a highlight show on the wrestling calendar for the WWE and fans, was supposed to be held before 75,000 or more at Raymond James Stadium, Sunday April 5 in Tampa .
Instead, the evening before, with reportedly some taped matches, will highlight the mega event. No pyro, no fans, and matches scrapped. Pro wrestlers are making the adjustments and it will be similar to a rehearsal or audition they have experienced before gaining their stardom to the top.
We are in this together. And, said here again, sports are not the priority here as much as the world of fun and games would be a diversion from this crisis that confronts our world and nation.
So without sports, there are some options as we continue to isolate in our homes. This past week, in between some writing and dealing with the isolation, there were some good options to get your fix.
Sports books, the classic events and movies to pass the time are becoming a norm. Though there is nothing better than viewing a live event, and we could be without that for the next few months, .
Any hope for the start of the 2020 season is not anytime soon. The hope, as can be determined, MLB season openers are on hold at least to June.
And that is being optimistic, all depending of course on how long the Coronavirus Pandemic abates. Talking to numerous sports personnel over the past few days, and the overall opinion is MLB and other leagues will await the first move of the NBA when it comes to resuming their schedule.
Why the NBA? The National Basketball Association was the first to shut down and seem to be at the forefront of taking control. Other sports leagues will follow their path.
In addition, with the 2020 MLB season, players would need another two-week spring training period for conditioning and the schedule would need a major readjustment. That means doubleheaders that are rare on a schedule and a shortened season which are not the norm.
Again, that is speculation as we go day-by-day with this crisis and hope for the best.
Pitchers were at the point of throwing at speeds where they should be. The hitters, always behind the pitchers, they will need more time to catch up and that is usually the case during a normal spring training period..
Let’s say 81 games or fewer, instead of a regular 162-game slate and no All–Star game. Players would get paid when the season begins.
Now, as understood, the MLBPA and owners are working out details of the specifics as to their contracts and payment and pertaining to details about pay scales in cases such as a national state of emergency.
The other sports will deal with specifics, perhaps not as complicated for the NHL and Major League soccer. Boxing will resume with lucrative network deals and promotions at Top Rank, PBC, Matchroom, Golden Boy, and others.
They will saturate the market with events every weekend for the boxing fan as the non mainstream fighters train at home and await their next payday. Most, if not all of the boxing gyms have been closed due to the pandemic.
The Kentucky Derby, Masters Golf Tournament, major events on the spring calendar, have announced they are rescheduling their major events to a later time.
Still up in the air is how the USTA will handle the U.S. Open In Flushing Queens. That was scheduled for the later part of August.
In the meantime some books to suggest to get your fix:
- Staying Positive The Story of The Real Paul Banke (Boxing)
- Once There Were Giants. The Golden Age of Heavyweight Boxing (Jerry Izenberg)
- Inside Pitch. My Life As a Major League Closer (Skip Lockwood)
More to come in the coming days as we go through the pile with some of the best books and classic sports to view.
Most of all be SAFE! We are in this together and will get back to normal in due time.
Comment: Ring786@aol.com Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
