MLB, Rob Manfred begin implementing return for 2020 season
Jun 23, 2020, 5:43 PM
Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. speaks to the media during a press conference prior to game four of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park on October 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
After Major League Baseball and its players union could not come to an agreement, commissioner Rob Manfred will be implementing a return to play for the 2020 season.
All remaining issues have been resolved and Players are reporting to training camps.
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 24, 2020
The 60-game season will have spring training start on July 1 and the start of play on July 24.
Following MLB’s last proposal being voted down by the players union 33-5 on Monday, the league released a statement asking players if they can report by July 1 and approve of the health and safety protocols.
With players signing off on Tuesday and the owners agreeing as well, Manfred finally has a season to resume.
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The players voting no came after Manfred reportedly met with union executive director Tony Clark in Arizona.
Players had been publicly lobbying to begin the season after ceasing negotiations with owners. “Tell us when and where” had become a popular refrain.
Players and owners had failed to negotiate a new agreement to replace one that was put in place in March. Players wanted a prorated portion of their entire salary proportionate to how many games are played. Owners proposed more games and less than a prorated portion of the players’ salaries.
The agreement in March was being renegotiated because it became apparent that resuming the season would be done without fans in the seats. That will have an impact on the bottom line for owners, who rely on ticket revenues to pay players and other expenses. Players argued that that burden should fall on the owners, not the players.
Manfred in early June said that a 2020 MLB season would “100%” happen, but reversed course later and said he wasn’t confident a season would happen at all. That came from Manfred after players rejected a proposal on June 15 and did not counter.
“It unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile,” Clark said in a statement. “It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.”
The union had asked MLB to inform the players of plans to resume the season by the close of business Monday.
