Can athletes go unvaccinated and still be team players?

This question has raged since COVID hit this country and eventually everyone had the choice to be vaccinated or not. For individuals, it is their absolute right to choose, although some organizations require it for them to keep working. The various professional players associations seem to have different rules for team members: whether they can or can’t, whether they get paid or not while sitting out and whether teams can fine players.

The Red Sox just finished a three-game series at Toronto and were lucky to win the third game in extra innings after losing the first two. Their lead-off hitter Jarren Duran and their closer Tanner Houck have yet to be vaccinated and thus could not enter Canada.

Boston fans, who love their team’s recent June run back into wild card contention in the American League East, have been highly critical of those two players plus starting pitcher Chris Sale, who is getting ready to return from the injured list, for not getting vaccinated. The media was on them because this series with the Blue Jays and one that finishes the regular season in Toronto could be crucial in making the playoffs.

On the Internet and on TV, the Red Sox appear to be using Bill Belichick’s “next man up” philosophy, and journeyman Rob Refsnyder played well in Duran’s absence. But the Boston bullpen was a disaster with Houck unavailable to close the second and third games of the series.

The Blue Jays rallied in the ninth inning to win the second game, and they nearly did the same in game three before their best player George Springer popped out with the winning runs on base. But Houck’s absence was clearly obvious in trying to protect narrow leads.

Even though their team won the third game, the fans and media are still harping on Duran and Houck, calling them selfish and questioning their dedication to team. And both are likely to get booed at Fenway Park when they all return home. Pro cities are different than most college towns.

When Michael Carter and Javonte Williams sat out of the 2020 Orange Bowl to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft, most Carolina fans understood. It has become commonplace in college football for players to miss bowl games from fear of hurting their draft prospects with an injury.

COVID and pro ball has turned out to be a completely different game. It’s turned into a debate between personal freedom and love of team.

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