San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey became the latest — and arguably the most prominent player — to opt out of the 2020 regular season. He cited health concerns for his newly adopted twin baby daughters during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Posey and his wife, Kristen, just completed the adoption process this week for two girls who were born roughly eight weeks prematurely last Friday. They are healthy but will need to remain in neonatal intensive care and will have weakened immune systems for at least a couple months.
The magnitude of Posey’s decision hasn’t been lost on anyone, even in the heat of a rivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers. “First and foremost, I respect his decision,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“As I understand it, he and his wife are adopting twins, which is amazing. I have so much respect for him as a man and ballplayer.”
With Posey opting out, he won’t be part of the Giants’ lineup for 10 head-to-head meetings with the Dodgers this season. And while Roberts is certainly mindful of the seriousness of the situation, he also could recognize a competitive advantage gained.
“Professionally, it’s not the worst thing to not have to see him playing for the Giants this season,” Roberts added. “And I say that tongue-in-cheek. I support him and his family.”
The Dodgers have dealt with a similar situation in their clubhouse as David Price opted out of playing due to health and safety concerns for his family. To a man the Dodgers have supported Price’s decision.
L.A. may be looking at another instance of losing a player this year with AJ Pollock. His wife gave berth to a daughter prematurely, and Pollock said back in May he would need to seriously consider whether or not playing this season was feasible.
Pollock is among the five Dodgers who have yet to report for Summer Camp due to undisclosed reasons.
Roberts always planned to manage in 2020
As a cancer survivor, Roberts didn’t reach a point where he thought to sit out the 2020 season. “I thought about what’s at stake given my health history, talked to my wife and family, and I had to make sure I’m responsible,” he said this week.
“But I never really considered opting out or choosing not to manage.”
Roberts previously said he was given assurances by doctors that he is not at greater risk because of his health history.
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