No San Jose Giants this year
Minor League Baseball: Team won’t play season for first time since 1962.
There was no joy at venerable Municipal Stadium.
Minor League Baseball announced their would be no season in 2020 for its 160 teams, meaning the San Jose Giants of the California League would not have a season for the first time since the inception of the franchise in 1962.
“The news wasn’t surprising, but obviously it’s a tough day for the entire industry and the organization,” Giants chief operating officer Ben Taylor said
Minor League Baseball President and CEO Pat O’Conner officially pulled the plug around lunch time.
“These are unprecedented times for our country and our organization as this is the first time in our history that we’ve had a summer without Minor League Baseball being played,” O’Conner said in a statement. “While this is a sad day for many, this announcement removes the uncertainty regarding the 2020 season and allows our teams to begin planning for an exciting 2021 season of affordable family entertainment.”
In a statement, San Jose Giants general manager Mark Wilson said “While we were looking forward to another memorable year with our Giants fan base, the health and safety of our staff, players and the fans remains our biggest concern.”
Also having seasons canceled in Northern California are the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, a Giants affiliate in the Pacific Coast League, the Stockton Ports, a High-A affiliate of the A’s in the California League, and the Modesto Nuts, a Cal League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
The Giants’ road game in Modesto Tuesday night would have been their 76th game of the season.
The news was not unexpected, given that revenue in the minors is driven by gate receipts and fans are not allowed in to stadiums. During negotiations between players and owners to resume the season, it became apparent Major League Baseball was planning on going forward without minor league affiliates.
That didn’t make the finality of the announcement any easier to Joe Ritzo, the San Jose Giants play-byplay announcer and employee 13 years.
“I think we all had a sense this day was likely coming, but when it comes official it’s disappointing to know we’re not going to be at the ballpark every day like we normally are,” Ritzo said.
Other than a handful of elite prospects who were included on expanded major league rosters, hundreds of minor league players find themselves losing a year of valuable time in terms of climbing the ladder to the majors.
“Nothing can replicate the reps of actual games and getting 500 at-bats for a young player or pitching a hundred innings,” Ritzo said. “They’re missing a chance to play important games late in the season in a playoff push, come together as a team and learn about what it takes to be a professional baseball player in the major leagues.”
Adding to the uncertainty is that Major League Baseball and Minor League baseball are currently without a PBA (Professional Baseball Agreement) for the 2021 season and negotiation points include a reduction of travel as well as potentially fewer affiliates which could reduce the amount of opportunities for minor league roster spots.
San Jose has been the site for the Giants’ High A affiliate since 1988 and in previous years was affiliated with other major league teams and also as an independent. The franchise began in 1962 as an affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. The stadium opened in 1942.
Minor league teams such as the Giants provide an family-friendly alternative to baseball fans at a significantly lower cost than major league games.
In the meantime, the Giants held a drive-in movie night Saturday and also held a Father’s Day “Catch on the Field” promotion on June 21. More promotions are scheduled, including a July 4 barbecue that will include San Francisco Giants highlight videos from the 2012 and 2014 championship seasons.
All events, Taylor said, will meet Santa Clara County health and social distancing requirements with regard to the coronavirus.
“There’s a large swath of folks that have become accustomed to coming out here and watching baseball and that’s not going to happen this year and that’s happening all across the country,” Taylor said. “We’re going to find creative ways to help the community even without baseball around.”