MLB Weekly Digest April 6th Edition: Verlander to Donate Money to Charity

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The last week in MLB was about a player who announced a plan to donate checks to various charities, the league is considering playing in empty spring stadiums, and a team in the National League steps up in a significant way to help employees.

Houston Astros Starting Pitcher Justin Verlander Will Donate Checks to Various Charities

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander and his wife Kate Upton announced on Instagram a couple of days ago they would be donating checks to various charities.

@kateupton and I are donating my @mlb paycheck to a new organization each week to support their COVID-19 efforts during this time. We look forward to contributing funds and raising awareness for some incredible organizations #covid19 #stayhome pic.twitter.com/FVNjiTm4op

— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) April 4, 2020

The plan is to donate a check to a different charity each week during the coronavirus pandemic.

Verlander and Upton highlighted the healthcare workers and first aid responders who need support during this difficult time with the pandemic.

The couple didn’t say which organizations will receive the donations, but they would announce the first recipient after Verlander gets his first paycheck.

The pandemic has impacted everyone around the world, and it’s excellent that Verlander and his wife are giving back to people who need support.

It’s unknown how long this virus will last, and we need to help people in any way that’s possible.

MLB Considering Playing in Empty Spring Stadiums

Major League Baseball is thinking about the idea of playing games in a central location without fans to start the 2020 season, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Baseball is considering playing in empty spring training parks, with no fans and quarantined players. But the logistics of such a plan would be extremely complex, and perhaps insurmountable. Story: https://t.co/TphgvYsCrt

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 4, 2020

The idea of having the season begin in Arizona or Florida isn’t a bad idea, as you could put one league in Arizona and the other league in Florida, but there are still obstacles that remain.

The primary focus for MLB should be on public health, and they understand how difficult it would be to quarantine 30 teams in one area and have enough resources for the public, per Rosenthal’s sources.

The other problem with the plan is can MLB effectively ensures the health of players, personnel, and umpires.

If an individual were to contract the virus in either Arizona or Florida, then MLB would be forced to suspend play immediately.

The margin of error is tiny, one baseball official told Rosenthal.

The players want to start playing games as soon as possible, but it’s just not feasible at this point.

The CDC has recommended against gatherings of 50-plus people until at least May 10.

The recommendation might get extended, depending on the strength of the virus.

New York Mets Establish Fund to Help Employees Impacted by COVID-19

The New York Mets have announced they’ve established a $1.2 million program for seasonal game-day employees that have been impacted by the suspension of MLB season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have established a $1.2M program to provide COVID-19 relief to ballpark employees. #Mets pic.twitter.com/gLVsHzyNpo

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 3, 2020

The program, which is called the Mets COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Fund, will give grants for needs such as food and shelter.

This isn’t the first contribution by the team.

Pitcher Steven Matz has donated $32,000 through his TRU 32 program to New York City first responders and hospitals.

The team’s first baseman Pete Alonso sent a video to healthcare workers at four Atlantic Health system hospitals in New Jersey thanking them for their service.

https://twitter.com/Pete_Alonso20/status/1242844441788002309?s=20

The gesture from the Mets is a terrific way to help those employees who’ve been impacted during the ongoing pandemic.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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