NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The Major League Baseball season is usually a 162 game, six-month marathon. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been condensed into a 60 game, two-month sprint.
Several teams, including the Mets, dealt with outbreaks that led to numerous postponements. But, it's still conceivable that everyone will complete the full schedule. (The Cardinals and Tigers could make up a doubleheader on Monday if those games impact the Cards’ playoff seeding.)
Many people doubted that MLB would make it this far, including the voice of the Mets on WCBS, Howie Rose.
“I was skeptical because of the fears that we all have about what COVID can do, not only individually but to people who apply their trade in groups,” Rose said. “So, yeah, I had a lot of apprehension about whether or not they would get to the finish line.”
Besides the number of games, everything about the 2020 season has been unique. Doubleheaders are shorter, baserunners are added in extra innings, and, most importantly, stadiums are empty. That’s been the most impactful change for Rose and broadcast partner, Wayne Randazzo.
“I don’t think that I could possibly have prepared myself for how demoralizing it’s been to do games without fans,” said Rose. “I think we’ve done our best. I think we’ve made the most exciting events within a game sound as exciting as we can. But they are clearly lacking without the reaction of the fans.”
Rose has also adapted to broadcasting Mets’ road games off TV monitors from Citi Field.
"It just is a challenge that I gladly embraced, but I'll be happy when we get back to baseball as normal," Rose said.