Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Add Senator Chuck Schumer to the list of politicians vying for the Toronto Blue Jays to play their 2020 home games in Buffalo.
The Blue Jays are still looking for a home after the Pennsylvania Health Department denied the team's plan to play their games in Pittsburgh's PNC Park. Sahlen Field, the home of the Buffalo Bisons, remains an option to host the games even though the players would prefer a Major League park.
“Buffalo is the natural place for the Blue Jays to play the 2020 season – it is near Toronto, Sahlen Field is top notch, and the Buffalo fan base is major league quality," Schumer said in a statement. "With opening day upon us, there is no time to waste. MLB and the Jays should just make the call and let Buffalo get up to bat."
The Senator joins Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, and Governor Andrew Cuomo as politicians who have publicly backed the idea of the team playing the shortened season in Buffalo.
On Wednesday, Poloncarz said that despite Canada and Pennsylvania denying the team access because of Coronavirus exposure risk, he did not believe the team playing in Buffalo would pose a public health issue because players would be quarantined to one hotel and the ballpark, and not allowed to travel anywhere else in the city.