For all the frustration and disappointment that has come from Major League Baseball and the Players Association simply exchanging proposals and not engaging in full-fledged negotiations, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has also seen plenty of needed action.
That’s held particularly true with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and several of its players. Most prominently Justin Turner, who along with his wife Kourtney, coordinated with local restaurants to provide food to The Dream Center for its daily program.
It culminated last weekend with The Dream Center dedicating the Justin and Kourtney Turner Food Bank to recognize the couple’s endless charitable efforts. Clayton Kershaw, Max Muncy and Ross Stripling are among Turner’s teammates who also contributed to the local nonprofit.
Meanwhile, Mookie Betts has been active in Tennessee. Last month he surprised shoppers at a market by purchasing their groceries and he also catered lunch for the staff.
On Friday, Betts joined a relative and his nonprofit Pull Up Neighbor to distribute reusable masks and other necessary items, per Kayla Anderson of WKRN:
Nashville’s own and @Dodgers @mookiebetts is out here today helping pass out free reusable masks and supplies. He continues to be active in the community! #mlb #mookiebetts ⚾️💯 pic.twitter.com/1iuiZ4yTlF
— Kayla Anderson (@KaylaAndersonTV) June 12, 2020
Betts has long been touted as being overly generous, and on top of that he readily recognizes the pandemic can affect him like any other person, via WKRN.com:
“I’m excited to be here and it seems like everybody is pretty grateful for what’s going on and this is a community that needs help. I go through the same issues, I get sick the same way that everyone else does and that’s what I’m using this platform for to bring awareness,” said Betts.
Betts’ time in Nashville figures to be coming to an end as one way or another, MLB will stage a 2020 regular season. The league set a Sunday night deadline for a response from the Players Association, which likely will be rejecting it.
At that point MLB commissioner Rob Manfred may very well exercise his right to impose a schedule that is expected to be in the range of 50 to 60 games.
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