Dr. Anthony Fauci — the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases — is offering his take on the latest outbreak within the Miami Marlins baseball team as Major League Baseball (MLB) kicks off its season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During Tuesday’s appearance on ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” the nation’s top infectious disease expert was asked about professional sports and whether or not the MLB should continue with their seasons in the wake of the outbreak in Miami, Florida.
At least 14 Miami Marlins players and staffers have tested positive for coronavirus, according to USA Today. While the team has opted to postpone its games against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday and Tuesday, Fauci does not believe they should need to completely stop the season yet.
“You just have to watch this. This could put it [the season] in danger,” Fauci said.
However, he did stress the importance of MLB franchises paying close attention to what happens on a “day-to-day basis” in an effort to stay on top of the situation.
“I don’t believe they need to stop but we need to follow this and see what happens with other teams on a day-by-day basis,” Fauci said.
See Fauci’s remarks below (starting at 1:00):
Dr. Anthony Fauci to @GStephanopoulos on the MLB: “I don't believe they need to stop but we need to follow this and see what happens with other teams on a day-by-day basis.” https://t.co/JgCvhTifYS pic.twitter.com/Y9g7NL5HmG
— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 28, 2020
Fauci’s latest remarks come just days after he made headlines for throwing the first pitch at the Washington Nationals’ season opener. During a recent interview, he quipped about his relatively flat pitch.
Just a lil bit outside 😬
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 23, 2020
(via @bubbaprog) pic.twitter.com/8DpQs7dD07
Despite the jokes about his curveball, Fauci’s moment on the mound is being commemorated in the form of a baseball card. In fact, the infectious disease expert’s new baseball card garnered record sales in just 24 hours.
On Monday TOPPS Now, took to Twitter with an announcement confirming the limited edition baseball card sold a staggering 51,512 cards in 24 hours.
NEW. RECORD. 💥
— Topps (@Topps) July 27, 2020
Dr. Anthony Fauci's #ToppsNOW card sets an all-time high print run record, clocking in at 51,512 cards! pic.twitter.com/sbZtdVX6MC
Fauci’s new record doubles the company’s previous top record when 19,396 copies of Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s baseball card was sold.