ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Citing concerns about his health and the well-being of his family, St. Louis Cardinals 61-year-old coach Willie McGee has reportedly decided to not be with the team the rest of this season.
The former National League MVP is in his third season as a Cardinals coach.
"I love baseball more than I love anything — almost. But, at this point, it’s God, family and baseball," McGee told the Post-Dispatch. "In the past, it was God, baseball and family. I could trick my heart and my mind to get past different obstacles when I was younger, no matter what was going on at home or on the field. I could still find a way to endure stuff. But, this thing (the coronavirus) and having an underlying health issue with high blood pressure, I just don’t know how I would react if I were to get sick and I’m still not out of the woods."
The Cardinals are bringing Jose Oquendo back to the Major League staff to coach third base this season.
McGee won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1982 and he currently ranks among Cardinals all-time top-10 leaders in stolen bases (301-4th), triples (83-7th) and pinch-hits (59-3rd).
On Friday, the Cardinals announced some major changes to the 2020 schedule – with seven doubleheaders and just two off days the rest of the way.
Mozeliak called this the start of a "second chance" for their season and expressed some confidence on getting back to playing games this weekend.
"This is very real and we're excited about that," Mozeliak says.
To replace the 10 players that have tested positive, Mozeliak announced the callup of the organization's No. prospect in outfielder Dylan Carlson, as well as some others who will be making their debuts on a Major League roster. He also announced the return of fan-favorite and former player Jose Oquendo as third base coach for the Cardinals.