TYLER PACOS
Special to The Leader
The World Series has finally come to an end after a delayed start to the MLB season due to the recent global pandemic caused by COVID-19.
It took six games of a possible seven for the Los Angeles Dodgers to clinch the World Series and take home the Commissioner’s Trophy.
The celebration was supposed to begin that night for the entire Dodgers organization, but things changed in the middle of game six.
Justin Turner, third baseman for the Dodgers, found out mid-game that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He was removed immediately once that inning concluded, and him and his wife went to a doctor’s office located inside the Globe Life Field.
After watching the remaining two innings it took the Dodgers to secure their championship win, Turner said in a statement he made on Nov. 7, that he “asked permission to return to the field with his wife for a photo.”
He was granted permission by an official that has yet to be identified by the media to go onto the field, so he did.
He was pictured on the field maskless with his wife, holding the Commissioner’s Trophy.
This is where things get complicated.
Per MLB rules regarding COVID-19, once a player or member of the club has tested positive, they must isolate themselves immediately from the rest of the team — which Turner did. But then, he returned to the field for the post game ceremony.
These actions that were performed by Justin Turner would obviously break the COVID-19 protocol and would therefore start an inspection by the league as to what punishment he would get.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Nov. 6 that Turner would not face suspension or any form of punishment due to multiple team members giving the go ahead for Turner to return to the field for celebration. Manfred applauded Turner for owning up to his mistakes and said that “he hopes that others can learn from his mistakes.”
Though many may disagree with the league for this decision, we must realize that Turner already played over half of the game and most likely exposed other team members, as the Dodgers have now confirmed five positive cases.
It is a very controversial subject unfortunately.
Right now in the state of New York, one can be fined up to $10,000 if quarantine rules are broken.
So why would this differ from an athlete? It shouldn’t at the end of the day.
Rules are rules for a reason and everyone should have to follow them, no matter your popularity.