Masks, gowns made of uniform material
Factory reopens to make protective items out of Phillies, Yankees fabric
Major League Baseball players couldn’t suit up for opening day. Instead, material used to make their uniforms was being turned into protective masks and gowns for front-line health-care workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.
MLB supplier Fanatics repurposed its 360,000-square-foot factory in Easton, Pa., to produce the protective gear from polyester mesh. The plant was shut down last week, deemed a non-essential service, but reopened with the new production target of one million masks and gowns — the first of which are expected to reach hospitals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and hard-hit New York in particular within a couple of days. The distinctive colours and pinstripes of the Phillies and Yankees remain clearly visible.
They expect to produce about 10,000 items a day — approved for basic protection but not surgical use. There is no Blue Jays version, but the company plans to expand to other teams. Prototypes were developed last week with help from experts at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Pennsylvania, according to the New York Times.
Fanatics founder and executive chairman Michael Rubin, who is also part-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, said the idea came to him in his sleep.
“The COVID-19 crisis has compelled our country to be more collaborative, innovative and strategic than ever before,” Rubin said in a release. “As the demand for masks and gowns have surged, we’re fortunate to have teamed up with Major League Baseball to find a unique way to support our front-line workers in this fight to stem the virus, who are in dire need of essential resources.” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred called those working on the front lines of the crisis “truly heroes,” adding: “We hope this effort can play a part in coming together as a community to help us through this challenging situation.”