Marty’s musings: charity auctions and health studies

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting this week’s key pitching matchups.

MLB is taking part in one of the largest COVID studies, and committed to paying league employees through May. We’re not quite sure what that means for the rest of the 2020 season, but in the meantime, let’s take a snapshot of where we are with regards to baseball and the current health crisis.

News & Notes

10,000 - Baseball-related folks taking part in a COVID-19 study on the presence of antibodies that may help fight the virus. MLB joined the study, apparently without much financial motivation, and are a part of it in the public’s interest. A nice change of pace.

30,000+ - Dollars raised by Red Sox beat writer, and former SB Nation alum Chris Cotillo. Cotillo took to Twitter to auction off some of his baseball memorabilia, and the endeavor has exploded in popularity. If you get a chance, and have the financial stability to jump-in on one of these auctions, the money is going to various charities in this national time of need.

63 - Year old Hank Steinbrenner, son of late Yankees’ owner Geoge Steinbrenner, passed away last week after a batter with a long, unspecified illness. Hank and brother Hal have been at the helm of most decision making since the early 2000s, though Hank stepped-back from his more public role amidst becoming tabloid fodder early in his tenure at the helm.

5/31 - Date that league employees will continue to get paid under the current MLB plan. Senior staff, including the commissioner, will reduce their pay 35 percent. Some teams have followed suit, including the Braves, which committed to paying their employees through May.

??? - Days until Opening Day.