Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond will opt out of playing in the 2020 MLB season. He provided a thoughtful explanation of his decisionmaking process in an announcement on Instagram.
Desmond explains that “the COVID-19 pandemic has made this baseball season one that is a risk I am not comfortable taking.” He says he’s compelled to stay home “with a pregnant wife and four young children who have lots of questions about what’s going on in the world.”
Fortunately for all of us that care about the future of the game, the widely respected Desmond says he intends to work with his local Little League (in Sarasota, Florida) while he’s not playing this year. He did not offer an indication of his future plans for returning to the diamond.
Desmond’s announcement is essential reading for all baseball fans. It’s a powerful call to action to deal with glaring inequity in the game, from its lowest to its loftiest levels.
Three other big leaguers preceded Desmond in announcing that they would not participate in the 2020 season. No doubt others will follow. It is not known whether Desmond had any personal medical issue that will allow him to opt out while still accruing salary and service time. If not, he will forego a pro-rated portion of his $15MM salary for the year. He remains under contract with the Rockies through 2021; the club also controls him in 2022 via club option.
As a Rockies fans allow me to say….AWESOME!!!!!!!!
Yes it does.
As an A’s fan I love it and think he’s AMAZING! Probably now my favorite player ever! (I am a fan of most West Coast teams & the Rockies & DAVIS are my faves … my blog is a West Coast bias one bc our teams don’t get enough credit – but I am 110% still an A’s fan for life! LOL)
I would be extremely proud to be a Rockies fan & Im proud of Ian Desmond! I hope that more players follow his example. This season is not only bad for the game – but yhats another discussion for another time – but IT IS A SERIOUS RISK TO EVERY PLAYER’S HEALTH & SAFETY. What he (& Leake, Ross & Zimmerman) are doing is very brave & admirable IMHO!! And the way he wrote all of it on IG was just brilliant & powerful, sad & true. Good for him! Standing up for what’s right! I was blown away! ♡
You should play mlb on your phone. It’s almost like for realz. Lol
Hello fellow A’s fan. I agree with what you say about Khris Davis and his meeting with Antony Slocumb was particularly cool.
I can’t really critique what Ian Desmond has written – I think every individual has the right to do what they think is best for them and their families. Ian Desmond might earn more than all of us – and his output might disappoint Rockies fans – but he has the right to voice his opinion coherently, He also has the (negotiated) right to absent himself without pay and in some way shape or form try to feedback into the Sarasota community. This is (IMHO) laudable..
My one question to those (who include the Rockies fans who might prefer him not to be in their starting line up) – is this – specifically what didn’t you like about his Instagram post, and why didn’t you like it?
In old skool board speak – please flame away….
A’s fan-See my previous comments further down.
Little League needs staffers and coaches and there are very few in the inner cities.That is one of the reasons that there are not a lot of baseball players coming from there.To blame this on a lack of funding skirts the issue dramatically.
I have a problem with him capitalizing “black” but not “white”.
Then he goes on to say that he does not have fun because of white management taking the fun out of the game.Not sure how that plays.Is he using that as an excuse for his poor play over the last three years?
Inner city youth will prosper if and when the family unit becomes an integral part of the vast majority of their lives.
Well said
Thank you Nick.
I knew as soon as I saw the headline that there would be some insensitive jackasses out there who would be getting some joy out of this. Congratulations, you’re the first…..
As a fellow human being I respect his decision to keep himself and his family out of harms way. As a Rockies fan I am pleased. You can have both.
Yes, of course you can have both. But only an insensitive jackass would take the time post a celebratory comment in a manner such as the above.
I wasn’t going to respond to you, because I didn’t believe anything good would come from the exchange. But I’m bored.
I don’t care what you think of me. I enjoy watching the Rockies play baseball. I don’t care at all about the players when they are not playing baseball. They are not my friends. They are not even acquaintances. The only reason I am even aware of their existence is that they play baseball for the Rockies. I don’t care about their personal lives and they don’t care about my personal life, which is just fine. Ian Desmond could be a great guy or he could be a complete jerk or he could be anything in between. But I still don’t care. I’ll never know him, so why bother caring?
The only thing about him that matters to me is when he plays for the Rockies. I don’t wish anything bad to happen to him or anyone else. But I am not going to pretend that I really care about him or anyone else that is not in my immediate circle either. So for me, him not playing poorly for the Rockies this year and someone else getting an opportunity to take his spot is a cause for celebration.
You may still think that makes me insensitive, and that is your right, but I say that just makes me honest.
Ok, fair enough and I appreciate your honesty. I’m man enough to tell you that I do respect you for standing behind your original comment and perhaps you are not a jackass. Insensitive yes, but not a jackass.
Insensitive to who? Do you think Ian Desmond is going to read this? Get off your holy high horse. Nobody wants to hear your preaching.
I don’t understand how not one person here thinks he is doing the right thing!
WHAT REALITY ARE YOU PEOPLE LIVING IN?
That was an actual SERIOUS QUESTION & I honestly would like to hear your answers. Hr hasn’t been THAT bad while playing for COL if thats what you are all getting at???
That isn’t even a part of the bigger picture here. The virus is getting worse EVERYWHERE around the globe!! If we ever want to escape it, we need to make some sacrifices ‘ like not having sports this year & at this point maybe next year too.
I don’t want or like that. I actually find the idea soul-crushing! As an A’s fan too, I feel we are getting robbed of the opening of a window where they’d actually have a chance at a Championship. Whoever wins this year (unless they have to shut it all down – which is highly likely) will never be seen as a legit WS Champ. A 2 month season seriously destroys the integrity of the game ‘ which we don’t need right now – there is a reason they play every day for 6 months.
Why put lives at risk for a BS season? And his statement on the racial inequity in the game was very powerful. Maybe we wait a year or so until the pandemic is under control & there has been time to address the issue of systemic racism (& sexism) that permeates every part of our country – then return in a happier time. Not a time of sadness and anger. Hr said something similar to that effect but Ive been thinking the exact same thing.
Reality has been altered. ARE YOU LIVING IN THE ACTUAL REALITY OF WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW OR ARE YOU LIVING IN THE OLD REALITY WHERE YOU ARE FRAKIN’ HAPPY BC SOMEONE ISNT PLAYING ON YOUR TEAM?
MUCH BIGGER & IMPORTANT THINGS ARE HAPPENEING RIGHT NOW! I just don’t get it!
Desmond is brave & admirable for doing what’s right & THAT is what the takeaway here should be! Im proud of him! Id really like to hear some different perspectives please! And Thank you in advance!
So he made a decision not to play, but he will still be out with his local little league??? This makes no sense at all..
if he wanted to just say he was worried about his pregnant wife, fine and dandy, understood. It he is willing to be out in the local community with the snot lockers, but not in a semi controlled MLB environment?
Also want to point out that unless you are old or sick you really need to get over your fear of getting the Chinese Lung Cancer. Hell you might have had it already and didn’t even know it.
Hello jekporkins, and thank you for inviting yourself to the party, Mr. Helper. But hiflew and myself have already come to terms on this, and I wholly respect him and his motivation to post his original comment after his very eloquent and brutally honest response to my criticism. Hell, I’m one of the guys who gave him a “like” on his 2nd comment.
You see, he and I were on the same page as to my meaning of the word insensitive. While you seem to incorrectly assume that my use of the word was to imply that Ian Desmond or anybody else would have their feelings hurt or be offended (was that your actual assumption BTW? You weren’t clear on that. Oh well, doesn’t matter, let’s just move on…..), what I meant and what hiflew instinctively understood is that I believed that there would be people who would be indifferent and unaffected by his reasons for sitting out the season and simply look at the Rockies on-field product this season, not caring about his personal life because of his recent performance (yes, Desmond has basically stunk for three years now, average OPS+ of 81). I saw these comments coming from a mile away, but people have a right to voice this, and I have a right to call them insensitive (or insensitive jackasses), and you or anyone else have the right to jump in with thoughts on this if you or they choose to do so.
Nobody wants to hear my preaching? Fine. Hiflew and myself were speaking directly to each other, so no harm that nobody else cares what I think. As for me being on some holy high horse? No. I’m just some POS loser like most us here who enjoy baseball and this website, I’m no better than you or anyone else reading this. You, however, seem to think mighty highly of yourself. Perhaps I was too quick to use the term jackass earlier and saved it for a more appropriate time such as now…..
We do not care about your online internet fake fight. Please take it somewhere else.
Where the hell do these people keep coming from who feel that they have the pulse of the MLBTR nation down so well that they embolden themselves to speak on everyone else’s behalf? And if others feel so strongly about these things then why aren’t they speaking for themselves?
jekporkins – say “I don’t want to hear your preaching.”
wild bill – say “I do not care about your online internet fake fight.”
@Chris
Helping out with little league, and flying to 9 different cities across the country are vastly different scenarios. Ya there’s a risk in everything, but cmon, these aren’t close.
I agree 99% with you. But I’m a healthy 33 year old who had it and it took me months to get better. My muscles still aren’t right. Sometimes a virus can cause myositis. However you are correct MOST younger ppl do not know they even had it.
But I’m with you. Life must go on. It’s not me I’m worried about it’s my parents and the elderly. However it is strange we never act this worried about pneumonia or the flu every year. Never seen the news act like this over h1n1 which was said to infect millions. Clearly media and politically driven in the response. I’m not some conspiracy theorist. Anyone who has two eyes can see how the media is acting. This is no more deadly but it is more transmissible. If we tested the entire United States we would find far more people had it than previously thought and the death rate would drop significantly.
Ironic how they are now saying the antibody tests are flawed now. That’s because more and more people are testing positive and it interferes with their deadly narrative. Heck, the reaction of cnn and msnbc during the protests or riots said it all. When people protest stay at home orders they are selfish and may spread this thing. However, I didn’t hear that same reaction and nasty things said about the protesters burning things down and looting. Strange how them gun nuts in Michigan protested and not one person was shot or one store was looted yet they were As evil as saddam Hussein.
Instead of asking snide rhetorical questions about Desmond’s decision, you can read his heartfelt letter about it.
For him, being a member of his community and an involved father at this time of Coronavirus and BlackLivesMatter is worth a risk that playing 60 MLB games is not.
@Chris the Great…
I interpreted things the same but after reading his good Instagram post, I’m fairly certain he’s meaning monetary contribution, motivational speaking for grass root organizations and the like.
People in good condition under 40 yo without a significant risk factor are at near zero mortality outcome.
Opting out hurts your team but for healthy guys begging off there is an “i” in “team”!
Lighten up, Francis.
Fighting….urge….must not comment…..need to make smart-assed …..comment…..fighting…..urge …..fighting…..must not…..
Nobody wants to hear your Stripes rip-off lines!
Damnit! I was so close to holding it in…..
Okay, so let’s say he gets the virus. He quarantines for two weeks, and moves on. The overall mortality rate is about one half of one percent…but most of the deaths are of course from older groups. I am not aware of the mortality rate of someone of his age, who is in great health (those with weak immune systems, I understand…I am not sure of his personal situation? Rather, I am responding about those who refuse to play in general.), but I am sure it is miniscule. So…he quarantines for two weeks…can’t be with loved ones etc….which, of course, is what most baseball players do every season (they are on the road for no less than three months). If games are played in a couple central locations anyway, he would be away from them regardless. He may still get sick in other ways (there are other viruses, etc.), or he may not; there are no guarantees in life.
This says nothing about the fact that most medical professionals will tell you…we will likely all get it in some way or form; the virus will weaken (as they all do) we will build immunity, etc. (I cannot wait for all the anti-vaxxers to refuse vaccine–when we get one–and then complain about the risk). This is how viruses go away. Or, we could just all stay inside forever and avoid all human contact…which increasingly sounds ideal to me, to be honest.
Personally, I am fine with his decision; I am also fine with those who decide to play. But let’s not make anyone out to be a hero, or think that those playing are taking some extraordinary risk…yes, the virus is highly contagious and can be devastating, and in some places numbers are going up (I live in a midwestern state where we don’t live on top of each other, but that is a point for a different discussion). But that does not mean life stops for everyone. Take precautions, and life your life. Fine for Desmond, fine for those who play. But just take a breath.
(cue all the namecalling and outrage that defines these discussion boards…heaven forbid someone provide a counter-argument)
Warisalie, well-said.
The virus is not getting worse. A LOT of people are being tested, so of course positive test results are going up. That’s the only thing “worse”. Did you expect it to go down? This is the reality, and it’s a good thing. Deaths are dropping daily and the death rate is plummeting, but by all means, huddle in the corner and stop living your life if it makes you feel better.
“Nobody wants to hear my preaching? Fine.” Yet you wrote a diatribe and continue to do so. It’s headache-inducing.
Look up ignorant in the dictionary and you should see a picture of yourself there.
I agree with hiflew. Hope Desmond has a long run of success in Sarasota and retires from the Rockies. Not his fault Bridich made 5 terrible free agen signings.
So, you say that nobody wants to hear about something, yet you have read every word of it, continue to monitor it, and even want to continue a discussion about it when the only two original parties involved buried the hatchet long ago? Which, BTW, was simply only one comment, one criticism, one rebuttal, and one ok I understand reply, done. D-O-N-E. Not some long-winded bitchfest that your mind has somehow morphed it into. Seems as though that would indicate that you have an extreme amount of interest in it. So what is it, contrary boy?
right on point brother
You are one messed up girl…. keep watching the view
Dude chill, with the virtue signaling. One can be morally and competitively behind this decision. Also you are projecting some evil on the commentor..
Agreed!
Still gets paid
No he does not get paid.
It depends on whether or not he is at high risk due to a medical condition. If not, he won’t get paid. I also believe he won’t accrue service time IIRC
I’d consider a pregnant wife a HUGE MEDICAL REASON.
The law doesn’t. Unless you mean huge as in she’s pregnant huge
so quarantine?
This is not true of all players that opt out.
What a load of crap
While Desmond is a disappointment in recent years in FLB, his IG post is a good one. I think the load that you’re referring to is what you may typically eat. So when you see something non-crappy, you fail to identify it correctly.
Ian Desmond gotta Ian Desmond
I have a newfound respect for Ian Desmond.
Exactly. While I love the game, that’s all it is to us fans. My guess is more players who have signed their final big deal, who have families and bucks in the bank will make a similar decision. What good is setting themselves up financially if they believe there’s risk to themselves or those around them? This is not about the sport, it’s about families and health. Most of us don’t have the ability to make this type of decision but if we did, many would make the same.
As do I. What he wrote was not only true, it was powerful ;& honest! Plus he is doing ghe right thing for his health & that of his family. Mad respect!
The right thing would be getting a vasectomy as soon as possible. That big contract won’t last forever.
Very insightful and well done.
He’s in the midst of a 5 year 70mm contract. Yes he’s oppressed. I’ll take some of that inequality any day. You are an employee. Opt out and stay home or go play. Otherwise SHUT UP.
Why isn’t a hard-working, universally respected guy like this entitled to share his observations about an industry that he has intimate knowledge of?
Very good question….unfortunately when online, there is a tendency to overreact without much insight just to appease one’s internet ID. Pardon the antiquated psychoanalytic term.
I’d, as in Freud’s term, not ID as identification.
Id.
Is Freudian Ego Psychology considered antiquated these days?
Isn’t it still considered pretty basic stuff taught in Psychology 101?
Its mostly important historicaly but not actualy widely practiced these days.
Right, you’re more likely to find Carl Rodgers than Freud stuff
I wholeheartedly respect Mr. Desmond’s decision. I would, however, appreciate a comment just once from an MLBTR employee in the comments that wasn’t 100% pro-player. Everyone is right sometimes and wrong sometimes. A little pragmatism or a refrain from posting in the comments would be nice.
I rarely post in the comments. If I do give an opinion, here or elsewhere, it’s an honest one. There’s no agenda and I have no financial or other interest in the matter.
I’m not sure what’s “pro-player” here, in any meaningful sense. This isn’t quite a labor v management thing.
Evidently you’ve not seen my views on players plausibly accused of domestic violence, etc.
He has no intimate knowledge of any teams other than the Rockies. How does he know if team X or Y has bad jokes or problems as a part of their clubhouse culture? Its a weak accusation to make against people you are never with.
What in creation are you talking about?
He made one specific (and horrific) accusation about his own high-school team. Otherwise, he gave a broad sense of what he has observed in clubhouses. He has played 11 MLB seasons with 3 organizations. If he can’t speak to it, who can?
”What in creation are you talking about”, im talking about when he directly said baseball has rampant individualism on the field, racist/inappropriate jokes in clubhouses and ”flat out problems” whatever that means. Its not broad, there are only 29 other teams. He is directly calling out the sport and making accusations even though he has not stepped foot in another teams clubhouse in 4 years. The Nats and Rangers have completely new coaching staffs and mostly new players since he left. He is not qualified to speak on whats going on IN CLUBHOUSES other than the Rockies. Even if you want to give him credit for playing on mostly disbanded Nationals or Rangers teams how is it fair to say other teams are making racist jokes when you haven’t played for them. Yeah I really bet Dave Roberts, Rocco Baldelli, Aaron Boone, Bob Melvin, Terry Francona, Joe Maddon and so many more would let nonsense like that fly on their team.
Jeff from the top rope. You just killed this man!
JD on the bottom. Again. Tongue out.
Damn you’re one pathetic soul
Seriously?
Dick Monfort’s burner account, ladies and gentlemen
Lol
Just because he makes more money a year than you do, does not make his opinion less valuable. Is someone making less than you allowed to tell you to shut up?
…………when did anyone say he was oppressed or the victim of any inequality?
His entire Instagram post was a racist anti-white post basically saying white people have oppressed blacks from playing baseball. I want to say more but I’ll stop there. I’m tired
I’m surprised nobody has attacked you for that yet.
I’ll jump in then. Lmao you think that’s racist? My god what a weak country we’re becoming when people get offended by that. Don’t live life with so much fear and hate.
I agree. It’s a typical tactic of a certain group of people who tend to lean one side politically. Sort of like how when someone fights the police with a deadly weapon, when they kill you they violated their “civil rights”
When a state makes a right to life law(to protect ALL lives), because they don’t want people aborting their children and killing them. Then they violate “women’s rights”.
Let me tell you guys something. If you pull a weapon from or on the police, they don’t have to respond the same to you. If you pull a knife the cops do t have to get in a knife fight with you. They can kill you. You don’t have a right to fight the police.
What he and I are saying is ENOUGH with the woke mob mentality. As a white myself I’m sick of hearing how privileged I am, I’m an Irish American and my people were oppressed as bad as any. You can be a victim or you can rise up and melt into the pot that is America and be like everyone else. My father always said “don’t like how people are treating you? Change your behavior”
Warisalie-The term “white privilege”is absolutely a rascist term.Very few White people were brought up with silver spoons in their mouths.
Also,the use of the word “white” in this respect needs to be capitalized to reflect the Caucasian race.
You know you can’t say white power lol. Come on now only minorities can say …… whatever their group is and power in the same sentence. Duh! As for only being a small percent of black players in the league….. I highly doubt the rest of the races are getting together like yea let’s not draft that guy cause he is black. I’m from Baltimore and my favorite oriole during his time was Adam jones. So I don’t want to hear it.
You want to see the boogy man around every corner and he just isn’t there. There is no such thing as systemic racism, get over it. I applied to the fire department many times and have experience in the field of fire protection( still work on annunciation and industrial sprinklers ) and because of my “white privilege” I couldn’t get the job. But someone with no experience and not in half the physical condition can get it because of minority hiring practices. So who really has the privilege? Laughable. People so woke they can’t see how America gives special rights to less than 20% of the population, it’s still not good enough. Whites don’t have “civil rights”….. that guy getting fireworks shot at him in downtown Baltimore the other day for being white didn’t get the call from Ben crump and the aclu. Take the phony race narrative elsewhere. Des you didn’t play because your so woke.
Mendoza ……Then you agree with me, and quit being the grammar police.
It has nothing to do with grammar,just equality.
And don’t tell me what to say.
Don’t tell me not to tell you what I can’t say
Never said you couldn’t say ANYTHING, I said quit being the grammar police. Which you wouldn’t admit but that’s what it was. Please stop engaging in this pettiness. I’m done responding to you.
What you clearly do not understand is that it has nothing to do with grammar.
You are stuck on that and cannot see the forest for the trees.
A small letter is the way it has always been written but it needs to change now.
“When a state makes a right to life law(to protect ALL lives), because they don’t want people aborting their children and killing them. Then they violate “women’s rights”.”
A) Fetus
B) Person over 70 years old
C) People with pre-existing conditions
Do all of these groups have a “right to life”?
Even if it inconveniences people against their own “choice”?
Wow you are a selfish turd!
Good for you Ian . Enjoy the time with your family safe and sound.
I respect the heck out of his decision, but there’s a joke to be made so I’m gonna make it.
He probably wasn’t gonna show up anyway.
Spaghetti brain, keep the jokes to yourself.
Lol ain’t that the truth
Hiflew is a very sad person. Kudos to Ian Desmond. Much love!
I think you missed the point of my comment. This news makes me happy, not sad. Perhaps you should could take an annex course in reading comprehension and context in order to figure that out the next time.
Anyone that thinks this guy is a hero is nuts
He’s not a hero, he just made a personal decision for himself and family, leaving a ton of money on the table. Great integrity and deserves nothing but love for his decision.
I’m all for any player making his decision based on personal decisions and risks. I am only commenting to say Little League presents risks too (exposure to other children/parents and their decisions/ exposures). COVID-19 is a multi-layered problem. I hope they stay safe, and you (the reader now) do as well.
Kind of a head scratcher, isn’t it? I guess Desmond isn’t worried about catching or transmitting the virus with Little Leaguers and their families. May you stay safe as well.
Perhaps he will be working with the league to make improvements, rather than overseeing large gatherings at this particular time? I’d assume he’s aware of this issue.
He’s also probably not going to be PLAYING Little League lol…so that would seem to lower some of the risk
Playing MLB and working with a Little League = apples to oranges, kinda
Yeah, I’d hope so. I’m just an average joe but we’ve done Little League (just glad LL offered it). With schools being closed, this was our kids’ best chance at socialization again before the fall/ winter and lord knows what that brings. Of all sports, baseball does have an ability to maintain a lot of “natural” social distancing so depending on what he’s doing (or age groups he’s involved with) there really may not be much risk. Not a doctor obv, but just doing the same thing and figured I’d share that observation, thanks for keeping us in the loop on everything, I enjoy it!
On a different note yet reflecting on the fact that Desmond will not get paid; supposedly, will his salary still count against the tax because he is actually not receiving it?
Right? @scottcfa
I’m guessing he’s missed a bunch of stuff with his kids because of baseball. I mean… most parents learn early on about kids bringing home colds, flu, etc all the time.
Just on my experience it seems like being around a bunch of Little League players would be much more dangerous (in terms of covid) than a bunch of adults.
Uh?
He didn’t say he is hosting hundreds of kids at a clinic. He said working to get his local youth league back on track.
Couldn’t you argue that is more of a risk? Playing in the season he would be getting tested regularly along with everyone he comes in contact with. I’m assuming the little league work will have precautions and everything, but not to the level of the MLB
Please! He won’t be around self-absorbed millionaires who will catch a lot of other things, not just Covid. The single guys aren’t going to isolate!
Totally agree and can see the irony here. Them little leaguers don’t have the testing protocols or money to protect like mlb does. Sounds more like a work decision than a thought out rational one. But then again he shouldn’t even have a job as a dog catcher as poorly as his play is.
So we can comment on this but not on the Blue Jays article about their uncertain “summer” training location? That’s a bunch of BS.
Yeah total BS man!!! Look everyone, this small, hard-working website is making best effort judgment calls in an effort to allow discussion while also striving not to host the full horrors of the 2020 internet for all of its readers!
clrrogers: i CaNt CoMmEnT oN eVeRyThInG i WaNt mY mOneY bAcK
Keep up the good work, Jeff. I appreciate the work you and your colleagues do to create a product that is consistently of high quality and yet remains free for readers. I think most of us understand that you have the right and responsibility to make certain editorial decisions.
Just because I think we should be allowed to comment on whatever we want to comment on doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate the work put in by the writers.
I appreciate that. It’s just … there’s no clear answer. We do our best to host an open forum and don’t have the resources to closely police it. Sometimes we have to shut off entire posts.
Damn Jeff, lay off the exclamation marks.
The problem is you think you have to “allow” discussion. Perhaps you should let the readers/posters determine what they’re allowed to discuss.
Let’s you and I sit down some time, off of the internet, and I can share with you some of the topics that some of our readers evidently wish to discuss!
We are doing our best. We want to provide a forum but also don’t want kids that read the site to be subjected to the full force of the wild west internet, at least not here.
Fair enough.
Agreed. I don’t think the Blue Jays situation is any worse than any other Covid-related story here except for the fact that they are under Canadian law. I’d think they’d fly to the island airport and literally walk toward the stadium. Nothing more controversial about that than the players opting out of 2020.
My respect for Ian went up with this.
Any comment I could make after saying that would be on my opinion of the current status of baseball and where I think it’s heading. That has nothing to do with the article and can wait.
The first of many more to come
*4th, but close enough
COVID-9
Ah, fixed.
The entire article is an impressive piece of work. But, for all his failures, the one thing the guy was always known for was that he was a hard worker. So his comments don’t surprise me (admitting I didn’t know he was bi-racial).
It’s his choice….and yes, it’s easier to make that choice when you’ve got more money thn your kids are ever going to spend.
But I’m impressed.
I’d prolly sit out 2020 i was stuck on that titanic of a team too
So apparently there is no risk in hanging out with the local Little League?
Again, we don’t know what exactly he plans to do.
If he is planning to hold crowded meetings in a poorly-ventilated room with no face coverings, then yeah, pretty risky.
Or if he decides to coach and has frequent chest-to-chest, spit-heavy shouting matches with the umpire, yeah, good chance he’ll get sick.
On the other hand, if he’s going to participate in Zoom meetings, or create instructional videos for the kids and coaches to use, or help with online fundraising, or join in outdoor activities with proper physical distancing, face coverings, etc., then I’d guess the risk is pretty low.
I have a feeling that Desmond is going to tend toward the low-risk end of the spectrum in his Little League pursuits.
Isn’t he living in Florida one of the worst hotspots in the world right now? People complaining that he is opting out are stupid. Him living in Florida outing his family at risk is just as dumb. People should be mad that him and his fellow players have been fixing games for years. Why else are criminals Altuve,Bregman and others not banned for life along with being prosecuted like White Sox back in the day
There will be a lot of Desmonds, and maybe there ought to be. It’s striking how many fans seem to react negatively to those who opt out, even when those players are doing so at the cost of their salaries. If you had four kids and a pregnant wife, wouldn’t you at least think about it?
One more thing about this that none of us will know: How many players, after watching the negotiations drag out, to their detriment, saw the owners suggest a longer playoff than regular season (to maximize profits) balanced the math against their unhappiness and decided to just take a pass?
I personally dont have a problem with opting out, I mean 99% of us dont have that luxury, but it is what it is. What I dislike is Desmond’s rambles, trying to be extra, Im actually still co fused, im not sure if hes opting out because of covid or because of social justice
You mean longer post season to help offset their losses. You could put all 30 teams in the playoffs this year but with players getting 100% of their pro-rated salaries and $0 of revenue coming in from the stadiums, every team would still lose $10’s of millions of dollars. It would be less expensive to owners if they didn’t play at all this year. I’m just happy they decided to try and get some games in this year, regardless of who suits up for their teams.
Having lost my grandfather to Covid-19, I say bravo to Ian Desmond. I knew this comment thread would be full of contrarians, and hey, I love to play devil’s advocate too. But this is bigger than us. Let’s instead realize that the players are people too and if there’s negativity to be had just direct it towards the Astros.
It’s time for your close-up, Mr. Desmond.
Good for him. Baseball has become a joke. No one needs it. It has become almost unwatchable.
Good for him. Baseball in 2020 is unnecessary.
He is just rambling, someone should really do a welfare check on his mental health.
you are the problem
I thought that his piece was well written.I do have comments on it though.
(1)I am sure that he has banked plenty of money.Is the reason that he has not played well in Denver because he has lost his zest for the game?Because Davey Johnson is not his manager?Does one really need to have a manager to say go have fun?
(2)It seems to me that Little League is having trouble getting coaches anymore because of the potential lawsuits involved and because many young adults do not have the time to volunteer.I saw one once where the third base coach was being sued because he told the runner to slide and she broke her leg.
(3)this is especially true of the inner city where it is well nigh on impossible to get adults to coach,and the rate of stay at home fathers is very low
(4)One reason why the 8% rate is lower than the 12% National Black rate is because the best Black athletes tend to play basketball and football because of the much quicker payback in those sports.
(5)I find it interesting that no one points out that those two sports have 70-80% Black players rather than White players.Does that mean that management should be 75% Black too?
(6)he implies that White families can afford to send their players to special camps but there are many who cannot afford that price.Shouldn’t they be in the mix too if money is given out?
This only proves that there is more than one perspective on points raised in Desmond’s writing.
And thank you Jeff Todd for providing this forum.There are going to be negative nellies in any setting like this public one.
I thought I had read that players living with family members that were high-risk, including pregnant wives, would be able to opt out and still get paid and acquire service time.
And I did. It was Nightengale. But he was mistaken. The teams apparently get to make that decision.
As do I. What he wrote was not only true, it was powerful ;& honest! Plus he is doing ghe right thing for his health & that of his family. Mad respect!
look, i see people being supportive of the guy, and he deserves it to balance out potential hate, but giving these guys extra respect for it is kinda silly, just like guys acting like playing through a virus is honorable is silly as well. its a personal decision, but i dont think anyone deserves a medal for it.
Well said.
Hey Jeff, How about the “glaring inequity” in basketball? I never hear that discussed but I’m sure you feel the same about that situation. I would also like to know how you feel about the “glaring inequity” in the game for 5’3″ 230 lb individuals with no talent. Why aren’t they being included?
Thank’s again for the great “baseball” content but I feel I would get much of the same on CNN.
Idk …. that’s a lot of money left on the table. I guess it could be worse but I’m curious how going out to help the local little league is any different than just playing? Doesn’t seem like less exposer, but maybe I’m overthinking. I know I’d have a hard time leaving that money on the table but I live a much different life than him so I get it
I tried this at work but unfortunately I didn’t sign a bloated contract years ago that would allow it. Oh well
inner cities rec centers don’t usually last long in great condition, so why bother
Living up to your name
I would hope all of you would have read his Instagram post before commenting, but I know many of you did not. But it was worthwhile to read an a bit of an eye opener.
More players than we think will probably opt out of playing this year. 4 kids and a pregnant wife, yea, I get why he does not want to take the risk.
I generally respect other people until they prove they do not deserve respect. However, I have some extra respect for Ian Desmond after reading his post.
Kids are not at risk.
5 kids? This guy needs a vasectomy!
Desmond sitting out can only benefit the Rockies. He is awful.
you sitting out of commenting can only benefit the website. you are awful.
Staying home for the summer with 4 kids and a pregnant wife doesn’t sound better than playing major league baseball – something about a million men would give up a nut for!
While he’s off, Desmond might schedule a vasectomy!
These players that are often injured should think about doing the same and getting their bodies healed and right.
It’s almost like he’s speaking out against everything that the democrats stand for?
What is it that they stand for anyway? All I can see that they stand for is anything that is anti-American. But hey, that’s just me.
DTD… you legitimately believe that staying indoors for months will destroy your immune system… I don’t know if anyone can/should take what you say seriously.
I just hope the kids bagging Desmond’s groceries don’t opt out. THAT would be tragic.
Desmond is the 4th of many yet to come. The next 2-3 weeks will prove if there is MLB in 2020.
Would you cheer a player on your team in 2021 who didn’t bother to show up in 2020?
*yawn* first off he claims there are no black owners, I guess Derek Jeter would be surprised to find out he isnt black…as black as Ian is (ie half black, half white). Second he complains only 8% of players are black, blacks only make up 12% of the population, that isnt THAT far off. He also ignores the fact 32% of players are Latino and PoC on a whole make up 42% of the players again fairly close to the racial break down of the country on a whole. I wont even bring up I dont see latinos, whites and asians complain about the racial break down of the NBA.
He is right though the MLB needs to do more to reach youngsters,
What is the solution? They aren’t going in the inner cities and investing, and I’m not necessarily blaming them for it. It is their money. However, investing is what will help lure athletes into potential future MLB’ers.
If black players were being shut out of baseball due to their skin color, Desmond would have a point. More and more people, regardless of ethnicity, are choosing different sports. Basketball, Soccer, MMA….
This is not the 1930s. If he and other players want to reach the black community they better do it on their own time and their own dime.
Totally agree. The NBA is 83 % blk and the NFL is 70% blk. I could care less who plays for any team. Let the kids choose what they like. I coached the blk and Spanish youth baseball for years. Kids just don’t find it as fun as soccer , basketball and football. His post was good. Nice he has the option to pass on 5 million or so. He should play and donate this years salary to youth sports or comn centers. But that’s just my opinion.
So much respect for Ian Desmond now that I did not have before.
These comments sections have hit youtube-2012 cesspool level, and its all the over 50s who are the worst offenders. Interesting….
How the hell do you know who is over 50? Some how I don’t see that being a factual statement.
Curly-Moe was my favorite,NYU’K NYUK.
Strike usually leaves innocuous posts but every once in awhile someone needs to respond to him when his posts are really ridiculous.
Sometimes I think that he does it just to get a retort because many are so stupid that I doubt that it could be anything else.
Strike Five-With your comment it has gone below the 2012 u tube cesspool level.
Desmond should ask himself why impoverished Puerto Rico and crumbling towns in Central America turn out MLB players in abundance. Those towns cannot afford to throw up a ton of baseball diamonds either. Sarasota’s median HH annual income is about $59k — at least double the amount in Puerto Rico and Cent America countries. The towns down there are so run down they make his hometown of Sarasota look like Beverly Hills. MLB does not have the brand power with kids in the US that the NFL and NBA does, and it’s been like that for decades. THAT is the problem.
Secondly, Desmond’s made $76 million to date in his career. And in 2021 and 2022 seasons he’ll collect another $10 million……so OK, forgot about his annual salary for now. The *annual interest* this guy probably collects on his investments is FAR more than the combined annual salaries of the bedwetters on here who are peeing down their legs because he doesn’t want to play this year.
yep hell this is ball field for kids in cuba and look how many good players they churn out.
c8.alamy.com/comp/BB478F/boy-playing-baseball-in-s…
I thought desmond’s was generally a good post but their certainly was some typical whining in it.
Good for him if he is raising his children correctly and adding to the community by spending some of his 10’s of millions on it.
I doubt that many Rockies fans will miss him.
The proof of the,pudding will be in whether he wants to make a comeback next year for his $8=2 M because that is what it will be for these players who are sitting out the season,It would be tough to get back to the high level that he was before he signed this contract.
I am sure the Rockies management and fans were heard cheering upon hearing this news.
What a terrible contract
What a terrible loser