The Major League Baseball season is moving along during an ongoing pandemic, but with the rest of society, the league is eager to take steps toward normalcy.
So get used to the idea of fewer masks in the the San Francisco Giants’ dugout during games. The team is nearly 85 percent vaccinated, according to manager Gabe Kapler. When the team meets that threshold, some health restrictions are projected to finally go away, including the need to mask up.
Manager Gabe Kapler delivered the news Friday that 85% of the Giants’ players and staff (those with Tier 1 access) will soon be fully vaccinated.
“We are 13 days away from reaching that threshold, and I’m proud of that,” Kapler said. “The last group got their second shots yesterday, and we’re almost at the finish line.”
John Shea/San Francisco Chronicle
Kapler did reveal that some players refused the vaccine, but 85 percent is all the Giants need to meet this goal. He talked of playing the Rockies recently, and being inspired. Colorado has already met the 85 percent mark and had a more relaxed dugout.
The Giants’ skipper also said the team will be sure to take instruction from the league on what’s allowed, regarding mask wearing. But the anticipation is that he’ll be maskless in the dugout in a couple of weeks.
I’ll say that on a personal level, I can’t wait for this. I can’t tell you how long I searched for a viable photo of Kapler. Since he’s become the manager in San Francisco, he’s had to wear a mask much of the time.
But the real benefit is from the majority of Giants taking the various vaccines available. Hesitancy is natural, but they trusted the best scientists from the best country in the world, the United States (admitted bias on my part there), and pulled the trigger. Step by step, the U.S. is making strides to normal times, and the Giants are thankfully no exception.
(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
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