Brandon Nimmo’s excuse for not wearing a mask in-game is part of MLB’s problem

Brandon Nimmo doesn’t think he needs to wear a mask on the basepaths

None of what MLB is trying to do is normal, and the sooner we understand that, the better. 11 Miami Marlins tested positive for COVID-19 in the first series of the season against the Philadelphia Phillies, marking what could become a very dangerous trend for a sport that prides itself on cohesiveness.

Rather than opting for a bubble approach, baseball teams are still traveling from city to city, and it has already come back to bite them. We’ve come a long way in professional sports — from the NBA literally suspending the season after one positive test in Rudy Gobert to MLB opting to continue business as usual despite an outbreak — but if baseball is to truly succeed over the long haul, they cannot afford large-scale breakouts.

Nimmo’s mentality of not wearing a mask on the field isn’t helping anyone

On the one hand, we all understand where Nimmo is coming from. However, normalcy is something we’re afforded when earned, not just because we declare it to be so. Baseball is a sport that, in some cases, masks can be worn to better protect players and prevent outbreaks. Not to mention, acts such as giving high-fives, spitting and the like are not conducive to limiting the spread of the virus long-term.

Nimmo must know this, and while some players may not mind the risk of COVID-19, every case puts us all at risk in terms of the overall spread of the virus. Players interact with each other, their families, and team employees daily. This is no small number of people.

Living a panicked lifestyle is not the norm for athletes accustomed to being revered, but as much as we need their distraction right now, they also must do so responsibly. If there are opportunities to wear masks on the basepaths and make less contact with teammates, it’s a must at this juncture.