MLB Must Make Sure its Return is All About Safety and Not About Mitch McConnell Begging

In recent weeks, Major League Baseball has garnered some serious momentum as it pertains to the resumption of the 2020 season. Various reports have dropped which indicate that commissioner Rob Manfred and the players' union -- with the consultation of public health officials, of course -- are sorting out any and all potential scenarios that would allow play to start in early July.

These efforts are admirable, but we seriously hope they aren't the product of pressure from Washington DC.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell revealed that he recently called Manfred urging for the return of baseball.

"I called the commissioner of baseball a couple of weeks ago and I said, 'America needs baseball. It’s the sign of getting back to normal. Any chance?' " McConnell told 93.9 FM in Louisville. "It would be a great morale booster for the country and an indication that we’re going to begin to get back to normal."

Despite McConnell's preference, pushing for MLB to come back as soon as humanly possible is the wrong move. The safety of everybody involved must be paramount, not answering the cries of a nation desperate for sports.

McConnell isn't wrong when he says that that the country would rally behind baseball. It would even do wonders for the sport, which has fallen behind the likes of the NFL and NBA in terms of popularity among the four major American sports.

However, individuals with as much power as McConnell should seriously refrain from begging sports commissioners to resume play from this point forward. The fact that the 78-year-old failed to acknowledge any safety precautions in his conversation with Manfred proves that.