Stephen J.K. Walters is chief economist at the Maryland Public Policy Institute and the author of “Boom Towns: Restoring the Urban American Dream.” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has earned good reviews for his leadership during the novel coronavirus pandemic, but even those squarely in the guv’s corner must have wondered whether he was flexing too much authoritarian muscle when asked about the possibility that Major League Baseball could start its season at the beginning of July. “We own Camden Yards,” Hogan said. “And M&T Bank Stadium. So I’m the largest sports landlord here in our region. We, the governors of all the states, whether they own the facilities or not, will be the determining factor as to whether or not they are allowed to play sports.”
Not the most humble sound bite, but let’s assume Hogan means well. “It’s very likely that, no matter what kind of safety protocols they put in place, some players are going to be infected,” he explained. That possibility also weighs on players as they negotiate terms of a return to action. One has drawn a line in the sand: “For me to take a pay cut is not happening, because the risk is through the roof.”
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