Cardinals Amid COVID-19
Outfielder Dexter Fowler has been a leader in helping others during the coronavirus pandemic.
Even though the birds aren’t playing ball, they’re still flying. The St. Louis Cardinals were set to open their 2020 season on March 26 in Cincinnati, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine regulations, the MLB has postponed the season indefinitely. In lieu of this, Cardinal players have been working to help those in need and have also made exciting announcements.
When MLB cancelled the remainder of spring training and indefinitely postponed the start of the regular season, minor league players were drastically affected. They are some of the lowest paid athletes in sports, with most bringing home $1,170-1,650 per month when they’re in-season, which is only five months of the year. MLB is paying them $400 per week until April 9, but no other contingency plans have been announced.
Cards pitcher Adam Wainwright knows just how hard minor leaguers work and wanted to help them out in any way he could, so he and his wife donated $250,000 to the More Than Baseball fund to aid the relief of minor leaguers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The generosity shown by the Wainwrights during this time of uncertainty is exemplary. We are grateful for their contribution to those in need,” Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said.
Wainwright isn’t the only bird stepping up to help those in need. Outfielder Dexter Fowler is fighting hunger during this time by matching every dollar given to the Las Vegas area food bank, Three Square Food Bank, to support their emergency coronavirus food fund.
“Rather than workout challenges…let’s do giving challenges. This is it you guys. Let’s post all the giving and caring. Let’s go!” Fowler tweeted.
Longtime catcher Yadier Molina has also helped lift the gloomy mood of the pandemic. He recently announced that he will be a Cardinal for life, to the delight of many. The 37-year-old’s current contract ends after 2020, which he said would be his last year two years ago, but he announced that he thinks he has at least two more years left in him.
“I also said [two years ago] that if the Cardinals want me, that’s the only team I want to play for. So it’s still like that, too, if they want me. But if they don’t—if they want to move apart—that’s it for me,” Molina said.
This year would be Molina’s sixteenth season as St. Louis’s starting catcher, allowing him the chance to go for a third World Series championship, tenth All-Star appearance and tenth Gold Glove Award. He would also be able to earn the fourth spot in number of games caught on the all-time list, as he only needs 110 to pass Gary Carter.
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine haven’t allowed sports lovers to watch their favorite teams play, they have allowed players and fans alike to realize the more important things in life, appreciate the things they take for granted and take action to help others. The Cardinals and their fans have truly shone a little light in all this darkness.
Click here to donate to Dexter Fowler’s campaign: https://give.threesquare.org/production?cl=THREE&pg=fowler&amt=5,15,25,50&value=6
Sources:
https://www.mlb.com/news/yadier-molina-wants-to-retire-with-cardinals
Alyssa Buchheit is a senior here at St. Dominic. She is involved in soccer, book club, National Honor Society, ambassadors and many other clubs. Outside...
