MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred threatened to cancel the rest of the 2020 season on Friday. (Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred threatened to cancel the rest of the 2020 season on Friday. (Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)

Cubs News: Anthony Rizzo, David Ross respond to Rob Manfred's threat to cancel season


by - Senior Writer -

CHICAGO — In the wake of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's ominous threat to cancel the remainder of the 2020 season if players do not shape up and act more responsibly, members of the Cubs organization responded on Friday. Manfred is not pleased with the rise of positive COVID-19 tests and reportedly told the MLBPA that the season could be canceled as early as Monday, Aug. 3, if the positive tests do not decrease.

The major concern is that certain players are not taking the social distancing guidelines seriously, such as the Miami Marlins. Cubs manager David Ross responded to the report by defending his players, saying that they have not done anything wrong.

"I think our record speaks for itself," Ross said of his club's lack of positive COVID-19 tests. "We've created an environment here where we're following all of the protocols to get in here and keep safe."

Chicago first baseman Anthony Rizzo expressed his concern with Manfred's warning, too, saying that it is on a lot of players' minds. Rizzo spoke on the importance of being as careful as possible but also implied that, with the players traveling to different cities and using different clubhouses, it is impossible to follow every single precaution to a tee.

"We don't know where this thing hides all the time, the virus," Rizzo said. "I think that, with players, it's just one of those things where you've got to be prudent. You've got to have faith. You can't really live in fear of it."

Cubs outfielder Steven Souza Jr. tweeted about player responsibility, echoing Rizzo's concerns. The decision not to attempt to carry out this season in bubbles located at the spring training sites might come back to bite MLB and the MLBPA. In the meantime, the only thing that the players can do to ensure that Manfred does not pull the plug is to abide by every guideline and be as cautious as possible.

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