NEWSLETTER
When he was on ESPN1000 with Waddle & Silvy, Cubs lefty Jon Lester got into a host of more important topics, from his battle with cancer (which Silvy is now also facing) to trying to stay in a good mental space during the pandemic to being with family. As we discussed, he also got into the timeline and health-related implications of pitchers ramping back up for Spring Training Part Two.
Of lesser import, but still interesting, Lester was asked about rules/format changes that might be necessary this year, and the typically very old school Lester admitted that he was down for it.
When asked about 2020, and with the examples of 7-inning games, ties, universal DHs, realigned divisions, Lester didn’t hesitate even in the face of such extreme changes.
“If you’re talking about this season and this season only, in order for us to play, then yeah, we have to make some adjustments to things if they want to get in as many games they possibly can,” Lester said. “I think we have to alter some things.”
“I’ve heard talk about the robotic umpire behind home plate – hey, if we’re playing, then great. We’ll do what we need to do, make adjustments as far as this year …. I think we all have to make exceptions for us to be able to get in games this year if we want that to happen. That’s OK with me. I just want to play baseball.”
But Lester cautioned, of course, that after this year, he hopes things would go back to the “old way,” as far as umpires and game length and ties.
To be sure, it’s entirely possible that *if* this season goes off, and *if* there are substantial rules changes, the league may ultimately decide it likes the way some of those temporary changes worked out. But, with 2021 the final year of the current CBA, it’s unlikely the league would actually be able to implement serious changes next year without total player buy-in (i.e., the players just like the idea and want nothing in return). Instead, it’s more likely you’d see things go back to “normal” in 2021, and then you’d see the league tie whatever rules changes it wants to the CBA negotiations.
In the short-term, though, if a guy like Jon Lester is saying that yes, of course, he’d be open to extreme changes for this year if necessary, then you’re unlikely to find many, if any, ballplayers who beef about temporary rules this year. So, hey, get as weird as you need to, baseball!
Truly, these guys just want to play. The rules aren’t going to be the issue or the question. The questions will be about safety, logistics, families, and finances.
