The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Sports Shorts
It’s some kind of a parallel-universe baseball season that’s underway: no fans, lots of masks and some rule changes—like a universal designated hitter. But there are familiar constants besides spitting. Here’s one that won’t go away—unless MLB implements a salary cap so that teams, regardless of market size and consequent TV deals, can all play by the same rules. Exhibit A: The Rays payroll last year ($64.2 million) was less than 30 percent of the New York Yankees’ payroll. And that’s before the Yankees signed free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole to an obscene, 9-figure contract.
The Rays have no African-American players on the roster. First base coach–and Tampa native–Ozzie Timmons is the team’s only uniformed African-American.
“I get asked every day if college sports will return this fall. The consensus opinion among our health advisers is significant change must occur for that to happen.”—NCAA President Mark Emmert.
MLB’s Miami Marlins recently had 17 players and two staff members test positive for the coronavirus—leading to postponements.
Until further NFL notice, it will be the Washington Football Team: Obviously, no focus group was involved.