Hello everyone, I’m Dan Lucy on the Ozarks First digital desk.
July 24th, 2020: A Unique Date in Major League Baseball History
Five years ago, on July 24th, something extraordinary happened in the world of Major League Baseball. It was a day that would go down in history as a one-of-a-kind event. On that day, July 24th, was Opening Day.
For those unfamiliar with baseball, Opening Day marks the start of the regular season. It’s a highly anticipated event for fans and players alike, signaling the beginning of a new season filled with excitement and potential. However, in recent years, Opening Day has typically taken place in late March or early April.
But five years ago, the world was in the midst of a global pandemic, and everything was turned upside down. The usual schedule and traditions of Major League Baseball were disrupted, and July 24th became the unexpected date for Opening Day.
It was a day that would be remembered for years to come, as it showed the resilience and adaptability of the sport and its fans. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, baseball found a way to bring joy and entertainment to people during a difficult time.
So on this unique date, July 24th, let’s take a moment to reflect on the significance of Opening Day and how it brought a sense of normalcy and hope to a world in turmoil.
Hello everyone, I’m Dan Lucy on the Ozarks First digital desk.
July 24th 2020: A Unique Date in Major League Baseball History
Five years ago, on July 24th, something unprecedented happened in the world of Major League Baseball. It was the day that marked the start of the season, a day that is usually reserved for late March or early April. But in 2020, the world was in the midst of a global pandemic, and sports were not spared from its effects.
Due to the spread of the Covid-19 disease, all sporting events were cancelled for months. But by July, baseball decided to give it a go, with strict rules in place. Teams were placed in a bubble, and fans were not allowed to attend games. It was a strange and uncertain time for the sports world.
Let’s take a trip back in time to July 24th, 2020, and see how the season opener played out for the St. Louis Cardinals. They faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home, and it was Tyler O’Neill who opened the scoring with a solo home run in the third inning, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. Pitcher Jack Flaherty went on to strike out six batters in seven innings, while Dexter Fowler added to the lead with a home run in the fifth. Yadier Molina also contributed with an RBI single, and the Cardinals held on to beat the Pirates 5-4 in an empty Busch Stadium.
In that game, Molina set a major league record by making his 16th consecutive opening day start at catcher for St. Louis. But it was a bittersweet moment, as the absence of fans and the unusual circumstances made it a strange and unsettling experience.
As the summer of 2020 progressed, things slowly started to return to normal. However, there was no Springfield Cardinals season that year, and all minor league games were cancelled. But Hammons Field was not completely empty. Major League Baseball had set up alternate training sites for players to stay in shape and be ready to join their teams if needed. Each team had a 30-man roster, with an additional three players on a “taxi squad” that could be called up in case a player tested positive for Covid-19. At Hammons Field, the St. Louis Cardinals worked out their minor league players, developing their skills and playing games in a bubble. Fans and media were not allowed inside, and news coverage was limited to footage shot from outside the stadium through metal bars.
It was a strange and unforgettable time for sports, and for the world as a whole. Let’s hope that we never have to go through something like that again. For more sports news, tune in to Ozarks First at nine and ten, and I’ll see you then.
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